PR Leaders believe Twitter makes reputation management harder

London, 17 May 2011 - The majority of PR Leaders believe Twitter makes reputation management harder, a survey conducted by the PRCA revealed today. 67% of respondents to the survey - which polled PR consultancy heads, in-house communications directors and Young PR Leaders - felt the job of a PR professional had become more difficult in today's world of online communications.

However, 64% of PR Leaders also believe the communications opportunities afforded by social media outweigh potential reputational risks - with a healthy 31% strongly agreeing.

PR Leaders were also largely in favour of Parliament being responsible for formulating privacy laws - with 63% preferring that option to leaving it to the Courts.

The panel was divided as to whether users of Twitter and social media channels should be liable for breaching the terms of a super injunction. 45% of PR Leaders agreed that the laws which govern traditional media should apply to the public, ‘citizen journalists', whilst 44% disagreed.

Francis Ingham, PRCA chief executive, said:
“The on-going super injunction debate is yet another example of technology outpacing legislation. PRs can't afford to be left behind. It has never been more important to have crisis management processes in place so that when your news goes viral you are able to respond immediately.”

Richard Cobourne, director of OnScreen Productions, commented:
“The main issue is that social media is global, this means that anyone from anywhere can access and interact from, to and with anyone from anywhere. So the laws of one country cannot and should not be enforced in another.  And why should the businesses that run the social media sites be expected to be the gatekeepers of personal opinion — sounds like and is censorship of the worst kind?”

 

 
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Notes for Editors

Media enquiries - please contact Reda Haq, Digital/Communications Executive - reda.haq@prca.org.uk  / 020 7233 6026

About the PRCA

Who we are: Founded in 1969, the PRCA is the professional body that represents UK PR consultancies, in-house communications teams and PR freelancers.  The PRCA promotes all aspects of public relations and internal communications work, helping teams and individuals maximise the value they deliver to clients and organisations.

What we do: The Association exists to raise standards in PR and communications, providing members with industry data, facilitating the sharing of communications best practice and creating networking opportunities.

How we do it and make a difference: All PRCA members are bound by a professional charter and codes of conduct, and benefit from exceptional training. The Association also works for the greater benefit of the industry, sharing best practice and lobbying on the industry's behalf e.g. fighting the NLA's digital licence.

Who we represent: The PRCA represents many of the major consultancies in the UK, and currently has more than 230 agency members from around the world including the majority of the top 100 UK consultancies. We also represent around 60 in-house communications teams from multinationals, UK charities and leading UK public sector organisations

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