The Law and Public Relations

Abstract

It is true to say that Public Relations (PR) practitioners are not normally as preoccupied with legal matters as journalists. Whereas the media provides information and comment about many people and organizations, all of which may take umbrage at what is reported, PR people are for the most part seeking to put across positive information with the full authority of the organizations for which they work — a less risky activity. Similarly mainstream business activity has legally enforceable contracts at its heart, as people seek to buy and sell goods and services, whereas in media relations work the relationship between PR person and journalist is much more informal and seldom seen as a legal matter. Nonetheless, PR people must avoid slipping into complacency. Their day-to-day work involves making highly public statements on behalf of the organizations for which they work, and saying things which can have potentially serious implications. They are still very much subject to the law and can fall foul of it, with embarrassing and costly results for them and those who employ them.