Article Response

Response to PR Fills Vacuum Left by Shrinking News Rooms by John Sullivan

I.               The first issue this article importantly addresses is the difference between public relations and journalism. According to Sullivan (in more or less words), Journalism is geared towards the mass audience while public relations is there for specific audiences and their needs. Simultaneously, the PR industry is in place to aid companies, individuals, firms and even political campaigns gain positive press. 

   

            Some may even go as far as to suggest the more personal nature of public relations while journalism keeps its audience at arms length. Ultimately, this article serves to address the fact that journalism is shrinking in size and reputation while PR is taking center stage.

II.             Sullivan digs deep into history to provide information and background on the ‘first PR man’, George Creel, aide to Woodrow Wilson. In 1917, President Wilson decided that his administration required a boost of support from the American people. Thus, Wilson hired a former newspaper frontrunner to head his new Committee on Public Information in 1917. 

            According to Sullivan, the group “cranked out thousands of press releases in support of the [World] war and even started a speakers bureau, which grew to 75,000 people, all giving morale boosting talks across the country.” 

            

            Ironically, the demise of news journalism began here as the country began to question the honesty and motivation of journalists to provide such news. One might even say that this was the birth of conspiracy theories in an effort by the government to only provide information they wanted you to hear through the newspapers.

III.           Similarly, public relations has the ability to house propaganda just as much as journalism would have. Again, we must observe the differences between journalism and public relations: journalism is for the mass audience and lacks specialization to one group; public relations is utilized by corporations, individuals and even political heads to ensure that they are painted in the most positive light possible regardless of circumstances. 

      

            Sullivan argues that any news source has the potential to be propaganda driven and ultimately influenced by those with power and ‘sway.’ 

   

            Sullivan proves in his lengthy article that public relations is making a name for itself but that also may come with costs- the PR community must gain the trust of its audience and readers in order for their releases to have weight within the media realm.

Media is an ever-growing and rapidly expanding business that will never stay one way for too long. For most, this is a well-known fact, and for others it is a harsh realization. 

Perhaps the dwindling journalistic field is creating a void in media that can only be filled with the skill and reputation that public relations professionals are bringing to the table.

“The news cycle never ends… there is a lot of competition for people’s attention; it’s not just a press release anymore.”-Tom Collamore

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