Comments on THOUSANDS ARE PROFESSIONAL LIARS: ARE YOU AMONG THEM?

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Limey,

You touched a nerve with this one, as usual! There is a piece of us all that wants to focus on the rosey side of life. Even though manure makes excellent plant food, no one wants to get caught in it! Life would be much saner if we could seperate the criminal from the spin!

Good post!

posted by Glennb on June 28, 2005 at 8:13 AM | link to this | reply

I don't completely disagree with your opinion (shocker)…but as a freelance copywriter whose client roster includes a toy catalog, I don't feel bad about marketing to kids at all. I do the job my client asks me to and they in turn hand over a nice fat check, which pays my rent and puts food on my table. If that makes me a "marketing prostitute" oh well…at least the wee kitties and I have a home, and go to bed with full bellies! ;-)

posted by Julia. on June 27, 2005 at 5:52 PM | link to this | reply

Tiger

Trouble is, it doesn't last long there!

posted by Limey on June 27, 2005 at 1:53 AM | link to this | reply

I'm glad I'm not in marketing and I can't sell ice in the desert.

posted by tigerprincess on June 26, 2005 at 4:59 PM | link to this | reply

Wonder

Good for you.

posted by Limey on June 26, 2005 at 4:19 PM | link to this | reply

Limey, the newspapers I worked for looked for a negative spin on everything

I was disgusted with the fact that many of them were not objective.  I had one editor looking for stories where there were none, and actually looking for the negative spin on everything.  Personally, I'd rather find balance in all things, including reporting.

My goal is to work for myself...where no spinning but that which I hope to give (the objective spin) is given.

posted by Ariala on June 26, 2005 at 4:16 PM | link to this | reply

Jane

I wouldn't work for you if you paid me a million pounds. On the other hand, a million's quite a lot of money ...

posted by Limey on June 26, 2005 at 4:03 PM | link to this | reply

kingmi

Thanks. I'm glad you approve!

posted by Limey on June 26, 2005 at 4:00 PM | link to this | reply

Wonder

As you will know, 'communications specialists' don't "look on the bright side" - that statement itself is misleading. What they actually do is put a positive spin on everythig to do with their employer's/client's activities and, at the same time, shield them from bad publicity. And this, by fair means or foul.

Foul, by varying degrees, includes concealment, half-truths, distortion, outright lies, misleading information, pointless press releases, time-wasting (often to miss media deadlines), dirty tricks (to undermine the competition), lobbying journalists and politicians and, in extreme cases, offering bribes and backhanders to gain advantage.

You state: "We always look for the best way to deliver the news, whether it's good or bad. It's called being diplomatic, not lying."

Your "best way", of course, is your clinet's best way, and not necessarily the public's. Furhermoroe, there is absolutely no reason for you or anyone else to "be diplomatic" when the truth is at stake: the facts should be allowed to speak for themselves.

For some reason you seem to have a remarkably negative view of journalism: perhaps this has something to do with the type of newspaper(s) you worked on?

However, as you know, the most respectable newspapers make it a point of honour to remain impartial and, to that end, employ journalists who are ruthless in their pursuit of the truth.

posted by Limey on June 26, 2005 at 3:53 PM | link to this | reply

Limey, Darling,

remind me never to hire you into the PR firm I'm planning to open in 50 years or so.  Because it would seem that your cup is not only half empty but you are always only slurping on a few  left over cooling, clumpy tea leaves, I don't believe you would be appropriate for the likes of my company. My newspaper ad will read something like this: "only the cheerful need apply,"  and I just don't think you quite fit the bill.

posted by JanesOpinion on June 26, 2005 at 2:10 PM | link to this | reply

Limey, You beauty! Fantastic work today, sir.

posted by kingmi on June 26, 2005 at 11:59 AM | link to this | reply

Limey, what's so bad about looking on the bright side of things? That

doesn't mean you're lying...I worked in journalism for years and they looked for the bad even if there was none...I hated that pessimistic side of life.

I'm actually a Communications Specialist for a large utility in town (PT) and write all the brochures, newsletters, and maintain their website.  We always look for the best way to deliver the news, whether it's good or bad.  It's called being diplomatic, not lying.

posted by Ariala on June 26, 2005 at 11:38 AM | link to this | reply

"professional liars",

"these creeps churn out words that embellish, distort or completely bend the truth."

Yeah like Tony Blair and George Bush

How's it goin' Limey?

posted by scoop on June 26, 2005 at 11:34 AM | link to this | reply

Wonder

What's a nice girl like you doing in a business like that?

posted by Limey on June 26, 2005 at 11:32 AM | link to this | reply

David

No, I wasn't thinking of Wonder - I assume you mean Ariala? - when I wrote this, but if the cap fits she'll obviousy have to wear it.

posted by Limey on June 26, 2005 at 11:30 AM | link to this | reply

Well, I work in the field, but my audience is not kids.

posted by Ariala on June 26, 2005 at 11:17 AM | link to this | reply

It's pretty obvious who you are taking a poke at!

You are just full of original thoughts aren't you!

posted by David1Spirit on June 26, 2005 at 10:22 AM | link to this | reply

Burly

I'm simply objecting to the mindset of American PR and marketing people: the way they are even willing to twist the rules to get at children.

posted by Limey on June 26, 2005 at 8:51 AM | link to this | reply

Limey

I disapprove of marketing to children but I don't think it's an American phenomenon.

posted by Burly on June 26, 2005 at 8:41 AM | link to this | reply