A day after the Iraqi government released video footage of his execution portraying a very sombre, almost dignified process, mobile phone video footage has emerged on the internet depicting the opposite.The new grainy footage shows the former Iraqi President's guards and executioners taunting him moments before his death.
We now know that the operation was not as dignified as the official footage portrayed it. The official video had been carefully edited to prevent the public from getting the real story. One thing the Iraqi government spin machinery forgot to do was to ban mobile phones or prevent "spectators" (read citizen journalists) from filming the process on their mobile phones.I think this is a great example of how new media and citizen journalists may prove to be a challenge to conventional PR. It is becoming difficult for PR practitioners and the media to solely control and manipulate the flow of information.
What do you think? Do PR practitioners have to work more tactfully when packaging their messages in this age of google, youtube and mobile technology?
1 comment:
Hi Rachael,
Your observation about the challenges posed by the impact of alternatives from the so-called "new media" to the public's perception is a very interesting one. I agree with you that the Saddam execution is a fantastic example.
I think it has for all intents redefined and added fresh hitherto un anticipated challenges to the practice of PR. In particular, the business of stage managing events has to my mind, changed for ever and it is something PR needs to grasp fairly quickly if its relevance is to survive in the 21st century.
Goodluck with your course!
Charles.
London
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