Don Sneed

Black elected officeholders find white press coverage insensitive, incomplete, and inappropriate

Content analyses have shown that African Americans are dissatisfied with predominantly white‐controlled press coverage. However, because content analyses do not provide an adequate measure of the depth of such discontent, the authors administered a series of questionnaires to elicit broader and deeper responses. The questionnaires were mailed to black elected officials (BEOs) nationwide. These included school board members, mayors, and state legislators in order to permit a wide range for comparison and contrast. It was found that BEOs “have no use”; for the white presss coverage of the African American community.

Public relations news releases and libel: Extending first amendment protections

Abstract This study presents an overview of both the common law and constitutional privileges protecting the expression of opinion in public relations news releases. Recent cases are reviewed and suggestions are offered to help public relations practitioners construct releases that are relatively “libelproof.” Emphasis is placed on following the guidelines suggested by the Ollman four-factor test for distinguishing statements of fact from statements of opinion. 1. (1) Examine the common usage to determine “core of meaning.” 2. (2) Determine how verifiable statements are. 3. (3) Examine the context (cautionary language) in which statements occur. 4. (4) Examine the broad social context/conventions associated with the statements.