The Director General of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, Colin Farrington, revealed a social media outreach programme and an online ethics policy review yesterday. In an interview for the premier PR podcast 'For Immediate Release', he made it clear that the the Institute is taking the changes in communication very seriously, commenting:
"We absolutely recognise that the whole public relations and communication world is changing.
"We have to be part of that and have to understand it.”
Acknowledging information overload he said the CIPR has to 'provide information in every format we can', 'looking for a wide range of channels for outreach'. In the eight minute interview, he announced the following new initiatives:
- a re-vamp of the Institutes online magazine, Profile Extra,
- greater use of RSS for Institute online publications,
- more use of social media including
- more Webinars and
- use of the President's Blog, PRVoice,
Running ahead of members.
He revealed that the Institute was in 'Listening and learning mode' and noted that the UK was behind the USA in adopting Social media making it clear that it was important to "be careful not to run ahead of members."
Acknowledging that there was a need to inform and educate members, plans were revealed for the Institute to 'shortly' publish skills guides for:
- podcast
- blogging.
Ethical Issues
He said that he recognises an "Immaturity in blogging in the UK" and pointed out that there are ethical issues that need added consideration. Specifically he mentioned that anonymity online (not revealing identity or not revealing action on behalf of an employer or client) contravenes the Chartered Institutes's code of professional conduct.
He said "People in PR need to consider their relationship with clients; PR is largely about relationship building and that Blogging is an easy medium to run away with.
He highlighted the problem with Astroturfing, a form of passing-off to dupe decision makers, electors and consumers and noted that this was a problem to be dealt with both on and off-line and which mirrors growing concern among on-line PR practitioners.
Picture: Colin Farrington
Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Colin Farrinton
astroturfing
ethics
public relations
Interesting stuff, David, thanks for flagging this up.
ReplyDeleteI presume Colin means 'immaturity' in its true sense ie. UK blogging is relatively young compared to the US?
Also, without thinking of specific examples, is the CIPR's code of conduct in need of revitalisation?
The code stands up well for social media. I do think it needs better explianation.
ReplyDeleteFor example astroturfing is not specifically mentioned but the code specifically covers the wider issues of transparency and conflicts of interest.
Matched with existing UK law (e.g. passing off is an offence in election law as well as IP and other statutes) ghost blogging is contrary to the code and in common law.
Perhaps there is a case for picking the code apart in public just to show how robust it really is.
The CIPR lawyers and Neville Wade (Prof Practices Cttee) have huge experience and do bare their teeth.
More is available here: http://www.cipr.co.uk/Membership/membership7.htm