There has been a lot of discussion in recent weeks after the discovery that Google News is attaching Wikipedia links to results in online news searches. Essentially, the search engine is offering up uncredible opinion, as factual news. A massive elevation from its current status for what we must remember is merely a wiki.
Whilst I realise that most people only use Wikipedia as a starting point for information, this worrying elevation of status for ‘the free encyclopaedia that anyone can edit’ is not good for journalists or PROs. Literally, anything can be written on Wikipedia without the usual journalist code of conduct and if Google is now passing off a wiki as a credible news source, we need to apply some quality control.
Drew Benvie said ‘How will the future of news look, when you can write your own reviews, feedback and headlines? And when anyone can then press delete, re-write or tarnish? It's the beginning of the end of fire-and-forget news’.
This also throws open the age old debate of whether or not PR departments should manage their Wikipedia entry. For the very reason that many people use Wikipedia as a starting point for information, I’m all in favour of PR teams monitoring and managing their entries - as long as they open and transparent in the approach.
24 June, 2009
17 June, 2009
Tories continue to win the digital battle
Last week once again demonstrated that the Labour party are off the pace when it comes to online comms.
As news of James Purnell’s resignation spread like wildfire, the Tories seized upon another Labour own goal by purchasing the former cabinet minister’s name as an adword on Google.
When people entered his name into the search engine they saw an advert which led to a video clip of David Cameron calling for an election. Quick thinking by the Tories, but it also highlights sluggishness on Labour’s part.
Diffusion director Ivan Ristic added ‘The Tories are winning the Google battle and leading the way in the use of search engines as part of political campaigning.’
Whilst Labour continue to do some good stuff at grassroots level, as well as inviting bloggers to press conferences and the virtual phone bank, when it comes to the really big stuff they are lagging behind their rivals.
With the Tories and Lib Dems ahead of Labour when it comes to online comms, the big question is: will this also be the case at the next general election?
As news of James Purnell’s resignation spread like wildfire, the Tories seized upon another Labour own goal by purchasing the former cabinet minister’s name as an adword on Google.
When people entered his name into the search engine they saw an advert which led to a video clip of David Cameron calling for an election. Quick thinking by the Tories, but it also highlights sluggishness on Labour’s part.
Diffusion director Ivan Ristic added ‘The Tories are winning the Google battle and leading the way in the use of search engines as part of political campaigning.’
Whilst Labour continue to do some good stuff at grassroots level, as well as inviting bloggers to press conferences and the virtual phone bank, when it comes to the really big stuff they are lagging behind their rivals.
With the Tories and Lib Dems ahead of Labour when it comes to online comms, the big question is: will this also be the case at the next general election?
10 June, 2009
07 June, 2009
The PR degree debate rumbles on
I was pleased to read PR Week (5 June) and see that attitudes are shifting from a ‘are PR degrees worth it’ mentality to ‘the pros and cons of a PR degree’.
Having graduated from a PR course in 2008, I am certain the degree has not hampered my career prospects – in fact, quite the opposite.
I do appreciate that there is no substitute for industry experience and nowadays all good PR degrees offer students the opportunity of a placement year. Career-wise this was one of the best things I have ever done. Having gained this experience in conjunction with a degree, I have found that many doors have opened.
Whilst a PR degree is not a prerequisite to enter the industry, the survey shows that employers are coming round to the value of them – which historically has not always been the case. Ironically, PR degrees seem to have stepped up their own PR.
Hard-working, talented and dynamic people are the lifeblood of the industry, irrespective of their educational background. However I’m certain over the next decade some of the industry high fliers will have PR degrees.
Having graduated from a PR course in 2008, I am certain the degree has not hampered my career prospects – in fact, quite the opposite.
I do appreciate that there is no substitute for industry experience and nowadays all good PR degrees offer students the opportunity of a placement year. Career-wise this was one of the best things I have ever done. Having gained this experience in conjunction with a degree, I have found that many doors have opened.
Whilst a PR degree is not a prerequisite to enter the industry, the survey shows that employers are coming round to the value of them – which historically has not always been the case. Ironically, PR degrees seem to have stepped up their own PR.
Hard-working, talented and dynamic people are the lifeblood of the industry, irrespective of their educational background. However I’m certain over the next decade some of the industry high fliers will have PR degrees.
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