The media and public relations (PR) firms can work hand in hand but should maintain distance at the same time in handling news as their target audiences are not the same, said the group managing editor of an Indian newspaper yesterday.“Often journalists complain that the public relations firms manipulate news in favour of their clients, as ad revenue matters to the media. Ideally, they both should have mutual respect for each other and not manipulate news,” said Ashok K Bhattacharya of Business Standard.
Bhattacharya was speaking at a media seminar that focused on how PR firms and media can work together. The seminar was organised as part of a daylong programme to mark the launch of Concito PR in Dhaka.
In his keynote paper, Bhattacharya said the target audiences of the media and the PR agencies differ, so do their roles.
In his keynote paper, Bhattacharya said the target audiences of the media and the PR agencies differ, so do their roles.
“The number of news and TV channels has grown manifold in the last six years in India, so have PR firms. Simultaneously, the roles of journalists and PR firm staff have changed as well,” Bhattacharya said.
“The number of incidents over the role of PR firms in influencing journalists in favour of their clients has also grown,” he added.
“The number of incidents over the role of PR firms in influencing journalists in favour of their clients has also grown,” he added.
Bhattacharya suggested professionals gain expertise in relevant fields and work with ethics.
Mahbubul Alam, editor of The Independent, who moderated the seminar, stressed ethical practices by all professionals, including journalists and PR executives.
Mahbubul Alam, editor of The Independent, who moderated the seminar, stressed ethical practices by all professionals, including journalists and PR executives.
“The truth can be suppressed for a day or two, but someday the truth would be unearthed and the question of credibility would come to the forefront,” he said.
Concito PR, an affiliated agency of Burson-Marsteller, one of the leading PR companies in the world, was launched to provide public relation services in the country.
Concito PR, an affiliated agency of Burson-Marsteller, one of the leading PR companies in the world, was launched to provide public relation services in the country.
Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, editor of The Bangladesh Observer, Syed Fahim Munaim, managing editor of The Daily Star, and Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, editor of Bangla-language daily Manabzamin, were also present.
Moeen Tariq, managing director of Concito PR, delivered the welcome address.
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ReplyDeleteDue to some reason I removed my comment, but further I like to give thanks to the management for bringing the new era in communication sector.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was working in advertising agency I found some crisis in the communication. Actually those crisis could not be met through advertising tools. Especially, the reputation management is often overlooked by advertising tools.
Every company has some problem, which are, relation between staff and management,relations with media, relation with stockholders etc.In advertising communication, public mind is measured in such a way where medium often speaks about itself rather the clients as according to Mr. McLuhan.
To resolve this crisis, the strategy based PR communication is required because PR understands the clients problem, and can make a bridge between media, public and clients.
In media controversy only can be resolved by PR and it is cost effective for the clients too.
In the tenure of my job in ad agency, sometimes they talked about such services that we could not provide. I understand PR would have been the choice of service for them.
There is a common comment against PR by some people that media is manipulated by the PR people, but I think it is wrong, the interesting thing is that corporate relation with media is more logical and transparent, due to that media understands it focal point, so the expected results come out.
In the evening we if we watch television, we find some corporate visuals those are undefined in terms of stack holders and public mind.
Putting the true story with its meaning shot divisions and voice over in to the viewers mind, analysis is required that advertising can not do due to lack of PR strategy.
However, I am really happy and hope Concito will establish a new horizon in Bangladesh, and corporate will be happy by its services and their business will be more prosperous.
Thank you Concito!