Public Relations Redefined!

In Stuart Elliott’s article that was posted New York Times, Public Relations is defined as “helping an organization and its publics adapt mutually to each other.” To me this definition seems like it is missing a few words, it’s too bland, the definition doesn’t really tell us anything and this is why the definition is problematic. Public relations provide an organization with “exposer to their audience.” Their main focus is to keep a certain point of view about this organization no matter what field. The current definition says nothing of the sort.

In August of 1978, at the first World Assembly of Public Relations Associations, the definition of public relations was perfect. Though a bit wordy the old definition explains Public Relations in detail, it is more concrete and should have never been changed.
“Public Relations – is the art and social science of analyzing trends, predicting their consequences, counseling organizational leaders, and implementing planned programs of action, which will serve both the organization and the public interests.”

Even after 34 years the definition still tells you what PR is today. This is where I am confused; Why was there a change in the definition, what needed to be changed? It’s understood that times will change and public relations will broaden, but the core of the definition will always remain the same.

With out question, out of all the ethical dilemmas from 2011, the Rabbi story was the most problematic. Anytime time money, especially donated money, goes missing you are going to run into problems. And I am not talking about chump change here. No, we are talking about MILLIONS of donated dollars missing… stolen! And this stolen money is going into the pockets of men who are already wealthy. It is a shame that people have to be taught ethics, especially people with such a high power. This reminds me of something I once told my Grandfather. I was at this wedding party, and the Brides mother said she is expecting no less than $300 in her daughters Wedding Cards. My grandfather replied with “she must come from money, because people with money do not act like that.”

I find it funny too that ethics will fly out the window faster when money is involved. As Roger Waters of Pink Floyd wrote, “Money, it’s a hit. Don’t give me that Do Goody Good Bullshit.”

I guess though it is better to fix your mistakes later on down the road then to never fix them at all. In the Corbett article, Time for Revolutions, he mentions that PRSA and the FTC are monitoring public relations practices. This I feel will improve in the field of ethics because organizations now know that they are being regulated. For example if you compare this to Major League Baseball, player are very cautious about taking banned substances because of how regulated it is. The same idea applies here. All in all, we are just another brick in the wall.