Public Relations

Nigerian Power Politics in Washington DC

Submitted by Diane Farsetta on April 24, 2007 - 3:10pm

Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar may have lost his bid to become president (though Nigeria's recent elections were "marred by violence and alleged fraud, and results are not yet final"), but it's not for lack of trying. To increase his influence, Abubakar maintains a Washington DC lobbying presence "separate from the embassy, costing him roughly $200,000 over several years," reports The Hill. Abubakar retains Edward Weidenfeld for legal counsel and "support for free and fair elections in Nigeria," according to lobbying registration forms.

Main Source:

The Hill, April 24, 2007

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Nuclear Industry Pins Hopes on Subsidies

Submitted by Bob Burton on April 23, 2007 - 4:13pm

Around the world there are consultants, PR advisers and industry associations hyping nuclear power as a "solution" to global warming. However, they rarely mention the hidden costs. In a recent briefing for Wall Street analysts, the major U.S.

Main Source:

Australian Broadcasting Corporation, April 22, 2007

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Iraqi Kurds Seek U.S. Influence, Get Pro-War Help

Submitted by Diane Farsetta on April 23, 2007 - 12:06pm

"In the past year, the [Iraqi] Kurds have spent more than $3 million to retain lobbyists and set up a diplomatic office in Washington," writes Rajiv Chandrasekaran.

Main Source:

Washington Post, April 23, 2007

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A True History of Fake News

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on April 21, 2007 - 9:30pm

Main Source:

Columbia Journalism Review, March/April 2007

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Spin Doctor Claims Greenwashing Is Dying

Submitted by Bob Burton on April 20, 2007 - 5:10am

E. Bruce Harrison, who began his PR career by helping the pesticide industry attack Rachel Carson and her classic 1962 environmental book "Silent Spring," now proclaims that the era of corporate greenwashing is almost over. In an opinion column, he writes that greenwashing in the 1990's "meant the company was painting over bad stuff with good words.

Main Source:

O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub req'd), April 19, 2007

Topics:

Activism

Corporate Social Responsibility

Issue Management

Environment

Public Relations

Blair Staff to Exit via Revolving Door

Submitted by Bob Burton on April 20, 2007 - 3:45am

With British Prime Minister Tony Blair expected to retire from politics in the next few weeks, some of his staff are already jumping ship.

Main Source:

PR Week, April 18, 2007

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Just What Iraq Needs: More U.S. Propaganda

Submitted by Diane Farsetta on April 19, 2007 - 4:16pm

Gen. David Petraeus, "the top U.S. commander in Iraq, has asked for changes that would allow" the blending of public affairs -- the military's truth-telling function -- with "information operations," or propaganda. In response, Pentagon officials are reconsidering 2004 guidelines drafted by Gen. Richard Myers, which directed that the two be separate.

Main Source:

Los Angeles Times, April 18, 2007

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Onward, Free Market Soldiers: Privatizing Public Diplomacy

U.S. Under Secretary of State Karen Hughes' remarks at the "Private Sector Summit on Public Diplomacy" opened on a militaristic note. "Looking around the room and seeing the quality and the scope of the talent represented here," she said, "I feel like reinforcements have arrived."

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GoodWorks Means Good Money For Andrew Young in Nigeria

Submitted by John Stauber on April 18, 2007 - 7:39am

PR executive Andrew Young parlayed his civil rights and liberal political background into a lucrative career representing Wal-Mart Stores, Nike and other corporations.

Main Source:

New York Times, April 18, 2007

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Corporate Social Responsibility

New Participatory Project: Adding Examples of Greenwash to SourceWatch

Submitted by Bob Burton on April 18, 2007 - 7:22am

In the last few weeks we have fielded inquiries from journalists around the world seeking recent local examples of greenwashing. Given that the article on greenwashing has ranked up amongst the top 50 articles in terms of the number of readers over the last few months, we figure it is time to add some recent case studies. So, if you have an example that springs to mind, here's your chance to add it to our collection.

Yes

Main Source:

Greenwashing Examples for SourceWatch

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Activism

Advertising

Corporate Social Responsibility

Cause-Related Marketing