Bob Burton

Bob Burton is an author and freelance journalist based in Hobart, Australia. He has been a contributor to PR Watch since 1997 and commenced as part-time editor of SourceWatch in October 2003. His articles on foreign affairs, human rights, health and the environment have appeared in numerous publications in Australia, the Asia-Pacific region, the UK and the US.

With New Zealander Nicky Hager he co-authored Secrets and Lies: the anatomy of an anti-environmental PR campaign (Craig Potton Publishing New Zealand 1999; Common Courage Press USA 2000) unmasking a campaign by Shandwick for the government-owned logging company, Timberlands. In 2007 Allen & Unwin published his book Inside Spin: The Dark Underbelly of the PR Industry, which investigates the PR industry in Australia.

After completing an Arts degree at Sydney University in 1979 he worked until the early 1990’s as a researcher and campaigner on energy, mining and forestry issues for The Wilderness Society in Australia. He subsequently worked as a consultant on fundraising and training issues for non-profit groups in Australia and New Zealand. In 1992 he was entered on the United Nations Environment Program Global 500 Roll of Honour for an outstanding contribution to the protection of the environment.

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