Kenneth Starck

Ethical obligations of public relations in an era of globalisation

Two sets of questions animate this discussion: (1) What is corporate social responsibility? Why is it desirable? How can it be assessed? (2) Why should public relations practitioners be interested in corporate social responsibility?can public relations do to promote corporate social responsibility globally? Drawing on a variety of literature, the authors argue that corporations out of their own self‐interest must embrace a global approach in fulfilling their social responsibility and that public relations professionals have an obligation to carry out that responsibility by recognising in their practices that the most important “corporate” stakeholder is society itself.

Effect of Reporter Predisposition in Covering Controversial Story

How a reporter’s attitudes affect performance in covering a controversial news event has not received much empirical attention.1 Presumably, if a reporter does have strong feelings-say, about the news event or the role of the press-this would tend to be reflected in the way he tells the story. This study asked several questions along these lines: Does a reporter’s attitude toward the role of the press in society make a difference in the kind of story produced? If so, how? Does the reporter’s attitude toward a news event or newsmaker make a difference in the kind of story produced? If so, how? A current debate in journalism centers on how active or passive a role the media should play in transmitting news to society. According to Johnstone, Slawski and Bowman, this debate ”would appear to pit proponents of a professionalized, objective, restrained and technically efficient journalism against those advocating a socially responsible journalism.”2 They identify the former as proponents of a “neutral” press, the latter as proponents of a “participant” press. Supporters of the neutral viewpoint say the press should present factual in-

What's Right/Wrong with Journalism Ethics Research?

Against a backdrop of growing concern about journalism ethics worldwide, this review essay traces the development of journalism ethics and standards by focusing on scholarship in the field. The essay provides an overview of the works of scholars and institutes or centers whose research and related activities have figured prominently in a renewed interest in journalism ethics. An assessment of the literature indicates a great deal of progress has been made, especially in the production of classroom materials, but that scholarship remains relatively underdeveloped. Large gaps separate the practical from the theoretical, and the realms of the classroom from the newsroom. Future research directions are suggested, including additional exploration of journalism ethics across different cultures and social-economic-political systems. Besides numerous bibliographical references, the essay includes annotated websites especially useful in conducting research on or teaching about journalism ethics. The essay is based on an extensive review of available research and literature as well as the solicited views of a number of scholars who have contributed to or otherwise are knowledgeable about the field.

The Role and Ethics of Community Building for Consumer Products and Services

Abstract Kruckeberg and Starck (1988) argue that public relations is the active attempt to restore and maintain the sense of community that has been lost in contemporary society. Many manufacturers and service providers seek “communities” of consumers. However, what is the social ethic of such consumer communities? Do they provide an authentic “sense of community” as advocated by Kruckeberg and Starck? This article examines these and related questions and offers suggestions regarding the creation and maintenance of consumer “communities.” Consumer communities-when appropriately formed and nurtured-can have impact on individuals and society at large that are best considered from a public relations, not marketing, viewpoint.

The Newspaper Ombudsman as Viewed by the Rest of the Staff.

Employees of paper with an ombudsman supported idea more than employees of paper that did not have an ombudsman, but response from both was favorable.

Criss-Crossing Perspectives: contrasting models of press self-regulation in Germany and the United States

Two media scholars--one from Germany and one from the United States--discuss in point-counterpoint style issues pertaining to press self-regulation in their respective press systems. Their intent was not only to assess press freedom and press responsibility in their own countries but also to offer reflections on each others observations. The German perspective argues for more press freedom in Germany, while the North American perspective maintains the need for more press responsibility in the United States. Authors conclude that insights about ones own press system can be gained from considering factors in other systems.

Foreign correspondents and cultural framing

With cultural framing as a theoretical backdrop, this article studies the role of culture in the work of foreign correspondents. It explores aspects of news reporting which may suggest ways for more systematic inquiry into the role of culture in the work of foreign correspondents. In-depth interviews disclosed an unconscious awareness of the role of culture in the work of foreign correspondents.

Red China's External Propaganda During Sino-U.S. Rapprochement

On April 6, 1971, Communist China invited the American table tennis team to visit Peking. Eleven days later the team concluded its visit to China. Three months later, on July 15, following secret meetings between top government officials of both nations, President Nixon announced he would visit China by May 1972. The New China News Agency (NCNA) made the announcement at the same time. These rapid-fire and dramatic events appeared to signal a significant shift in the relations between these two powers, as well as others in the wor1d.l Speculation seethed as to reasons for the rapprochement. Not the least was that Communist China was embarking on a propaganda campaign to enhance its image. A New York Times report noted ‘‘an obvious belief in Peking that American public opinion can be made a potent ally in the realization of Chinese foreign policy aims.”2 The suggestion had foundation. The few studies that have been made of

Judging Newsroom Attributes

Asure f i r e way to provoke an argument between journalism educators and news executives is to ask them what are the most important attributes that a reporter should have. Or is it? A portion of the Iowa Daily Press Association Newsroom Study Project conducted in 1975 was all set to generate some sparks between educators at the state’s three major journalism schools and editors of the state’s 40 daily newspapers. They were asked to indicate what they thought were the most and least important things a reporter should know, abilities or skills that a reporter should have and qualities that a reporter should possess. All kinds of material for disagreement and hot-stove debate, you might think. But something funny happened on the way to the data analysis. Although there were some significant differences between the profs and the editors, the extent of agreement was what stood out most, especially in the areas of knowledge and abilities or skills that a reporter should have. Before getting into the results, a few words about procedures: The educators and editors were asked to respond to three different sets of reporter attributes: (1) knowledge, (2) competencies and (3) qualities. There were 10 items in the “knowledge” part, 12 in “competencies”, and 13 in “qual-

What Community Press Councils Talk About

Analysis suggests lively, germane issues can be discussed, that public knows little of media practices and that a compilation of specific matters of current concern might be useful to both media and audience.