A Collaborative Statement on the Essential Value of a Free Press

By  August 16, 2018

The statement below was released August 16, 2018, by PRSA and eight other professional communication organizations to collaboratively express our support for the critical role of a free press and the First Amendment. With the unanimous support of your Board of Directors and staff leadership, it was done in concert with more than 200 newspapers across the U.S. who are today voicing, in their own ways, that ethical journalism, and freedom of thought and expression, are perpetually essential to democracy.

Anthony D’Angelo


In today’s political climate, there will inevitably be charges that this statement reflects a political stance or bias. It does not. Rather, it affirms the U.S. Constitution and the values that transcend political parties and other affiliations; in fact, the statement is co-signed by the Global Alliance and other organizations with significant international representation that also subscribe to those values.
In that spirit, please feel free to add your voice to a monumentally important conversation.
“The basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”                

~ Thomas Jefferson

This oft-cited quote conveys the fundamental importance of today’s free press despite its articulation before electronic, digital and social media were invented. The dramatic expression by a founding father who was brutally criticized by the media of his time underscores that the standing of a free press transcends politics, geographies or other affiliations.

Today we join with our compatriots in the news media to proudly affirm the Fourth Estate as a vital engine of democracy. Without it, and without freedom of thought and expression as provided by the First Amendment, informed decision-making is not possible and individual freedoms suffer. From a global perspective, journalism serves all people through ethical pursuit of the truth.

As organizations devoted to professionals across the communications industry, we are dependent on a free press, and rely upon it as we speak honestly and fearlessly on behalf of ourselves, our companies, clients and causes. A free press provides citizens access to information and opinions so they can make their own judgments.

We collaboratively declare our support for journalists who bravely seek the truth, focus on facts, and hold government, business and other institutions accountable.

Aberje – Associação Brasileira de Comunicação Empresarialwww.aberje.com.br

Public Relations and Communications Association, www.prca.org.uk

The American Advertising Federationwww.aaf.org

The Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communicationwww.bellisario.psu.edu

The Arthur W. Page Societywww.awpagesociety.com

The Commission on Public Relations Educationwww.commissionpred.org

The Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communications Managementwww.globalalliancepr.org

The Institute for Public Relationswww.instituteforpr.org

The International Association of Business Communicatorswww.iabc.com

The International Communications Consultancy Organisationwww.iccopr.com

The National Black Public Relations Societywww.nbprs.org

The PR Council, www.prcouncil.net

The Public Relations Society of Americawww.prsa.org

APR Express Workshop 

What is the APR? A symbol of professionalism and a credential that signifies reaching the highest standards in public relations.

Are you ready to earn your accreditation? During this five-hour comprehensive session, you’ll learn what it takes to achieve accreditation and the variety of resources available to you. The entire process will be reviewed, including how to prepare, what resources you need, and how to ace the Portfolio Presentation and the computer-based exam. You’ll also meet a recent APR and hear about their experience.

The class is taught by Jeff Paterson, APR, CEO of Empower, and Barb Byers, APR, director of content development for the UB Office of Donor and Alumni Communications.

Date: Thursday, May 31
Time: 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Location: Buffalo State College, 1300 Elmwood Ave, 418 Cleveland Hall, Buffalo, NY 14222
Cost: $50 (non-refundable); includes light lunch and materials

Registration deadline: Friday, May 25

For more information, please contact Accreditation Chair Barb Byers, APR, at 716-645-3315 or babyers@buffalo.edu.

To register: http://prsabuffaloniagara.org/meetinginfo.php?id=137&ts=1519611551

 

New PRSA Intersections Conference

Have you heard? We are launching an all-new professional development event, the PRSA InterSections Conference, in Anaheim, Calif. from Aug. 9-10, 2018.

This unique event will bring together public relations and communications professionals in the financial, technology, entertainment and sports sectors for two days of in-person learning and networking! Registration is now available online.

The PRSA InterSections Conference will feature three distinct Learning Tracks with programming specifically tailored to the needs of technology, financial, entertainment and sports communicators, respectively. Attendees can select their Learning Track during the registration process and will join a series of breakout sessions curated by leaders in each industry. Plus, participants will join together for shared general sessions, a round table event and meal functions to expand their professional circles by networking with all conference participants.

Currently, PRSA is accepting presentation proposals for the InterSections Conference through March 9, 2018. Don’t miss this chance to share your insights, experience and expertise with your fellow PR and communications professionals.

To participate as a session speaker at the 2018 InterSections Conference, please submit an innovative and compelling presentation proposal supporting communications professionals in the following industries:

  • Technology
  • Financial Communications
  • Entertainment or Sports

Presentations must be targeted to mid- to senior-level communications professionals. The strategies and practical applications in your proposal can focus on both traditional and new forms of communication outreach — whether social media, publications, strategy, planning, measurement, leadership communication, crisis communication or specific issue topics and/or teachable case studies.

By emphasizing how the work of PR and communications professionals can intersect across industries, the conference aims to provide an enriching atmosphere to elevate and enhance your practice.

We hope to see you this summer in Anaheim!

 

New PRSA Intersections Conference

Have you heard? We are launching an all-new professional development event, the PRSA InterSections Conference, in Anaheim, Calif. from Aug. 9-10, 2018.

This unique event will bring together public relations and communications professionals in the financial, technology, entertainment and sports sectors for two days of in-person learning and networking! Registration is now available online.

The PRSA InterSections Conference will feature three distinct Learning Tracks with programming specifically tailored to the needs of technology, financial, entertainment and sports communicators, respectively. Attendees can select their Learning Track during the registration process and will join a series of breakout sessions curated by leaders in each industry. Plus, participants will join together for shared general sessions, a round table event and meal functions to expand their professional circles by networking with all conference participants.

Currently, PRSA is accepting presentation proposals for the InterSections Conference through March 9, 2018. Don’t miss this chance to share your insights, experience and expertise with your fellow PR and communications professionals.

To participate as a session speaker at the 2018 InterSections Conference, please submit an innovative and compelling presentation proposal supporting communications professionals in the following industries:

  • Technology
  • Financial Communications
  • Entertainment or Sports

Presentations must be targeted to mid- to senior-level communications professionals. The strategies and practical applications in your proposal can focus on both traditional and new forms of communication outreach — whether social media, publications, strategy, planning, measurement, leadership communication, crisis communication or specific issue topics and/or teachable case studies.

By emphasizing how the work of PR and communications professionals can intersect across industries, the conference aims to provide an enriching atmosphere to elevate and enhance your practice.

We hope to see you this summer in Anaheim!

 

NE District Conference – Call for Speakers

Each year, the PRSA Northeast District Chapter brings together more than 200 communications professionals from across the northeastern United States for a one-day conference exploring the newest technologies and practices to emerge in the field of public relations.

This year, we’re headed to Buffalo—home of the original Buffalo wings, a burgeoning craft beer scene and a short ride to Niagara Falls. But we’re really looking forward to a day of inspiration with you, as nearly two dozen of our colleagues from throughout the northeast chapter present their best, most interesting, and practical recipes to help you foster Integrated PR success wherever your work takes you.

Marketing, social media, public relations, advertising – you do it all. Your role as a communicator is constantly evolving, the mediums we use to tell our stories are changing faster and the lines between these functions are even less clear. All while you’re expected to do so much more with much less.

The Buffalo/Niagara PRSA Chapter proudly invites you to join us Friday, June 1 at the 2018 PRXNE District Conference—Communication Convergence: The Integrated Communicator.

Join us for this one-day conference and we’ll tackle emerging content marketing trends, share valuable insights for strategic planning, help you master the art of storytelling and give you all the tools you need to be successful in whatever communication role your job takes the next day.


Call for Speakers Now Open

If you’re interested in presenting at PRXNE 2018—or if you know someone who may be interested—we’re now accepting presentation proposals that explore the following topics:

  • Communication Convergence
  • Content Marketing
  • Internal Communications
  • PR Writing
  • Website Writing
  • Calculating ROI on Communications
  • Net Neutrality
  • Making Video Work
  • Crisis Communications
  • Understanding Financials
  • AP Style Updates
  • Fake News
  • Brand Credibility
  • AR/VR Storytelling

Of course, we’re open to other ideas, too!

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL

2018 Yankee Officers

The following officers were elected to lead Yankee PRSA for 2018 at the chapter’s annnual meeting on December 5.

2018 Yankee Chapter PRSA Officers

President, Mark Elliot, APR, PR Consultant

President-elect, Andrew Morse, Concord Regional VNA

Past President, Tom Bebbington, Diocese of Manchester

Secretary, Mary Ellen Hettinger, APR, Breathe New Hampshire

Treasurer, Stefanie Phillips, American Heart Association

Assistant Treasurer, Ashley Januszewski, The NHHEAF Network Organizations

Director, Roz Whitaker-Heck, APR, Champlain College (term expires 12/31/18)

Director, AnnMarie French, New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute (term expires 12/31/18)

Director, Grace Lessner, New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (term expires 12/31/18)

Director, Seth Wheeler, New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (term expires 12/31/18)

Director, Shane Perry, EMHS (term expires 12/31/19)

Director, Amber Bedi, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (term expires 12/31/19)

Director, Mackenzie Kreitler, Student Loan Hero (term expires 12/31/19)

 

Buffalo/Niagara PRSA Chapter Looking for Input on PRxNE 2018

The Buffalo/Niagara PRSA Chapter is proud to be hosting the 2018 PRxNE District Conference, Communication Convergence: The Integrated Communicator, on June 1, in Buffalo, NY.

Marketing, social media, public relations, advertising – you do it all. Your role as a communicator is constantly evolving, the mediums we use to tell our stories are changing faster and the lines between these functions are even less clear. All while you’re expected to do so much more with much less. Join us for this one-day conference and we’ll tackle emerging content marketing trends, share valuable insights for strategic planning, help you master the art of storytelling and give you all the tools you need to be successful in whatever communication role your job takes the next day.

Please take a few minutes to answer this brief survey, by November 27, so we can better serve our members during this conference.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact us at ned@prsabuffaloniagara.org.

Be sure to visit http://www.prsanortheast.org/ regularly for the latest news and updates on the conference.

Getting Your Boss to ‘Yes’: Gaining Employer Approval to Join PRSA

In today’s economy, we know that you need to justify every expense, including spending time and money to join professional associations and attend events, both in-person and virtual. Follow these step-by-step instructions to gain approval from your management to join PRSA, a community of more than 21,000 public relations professionals.

PRSA Offers Certificate in Reputation Management

Interactive Live Online Course Focuses on Providing Management-level Communicators with Best Practices and Fundamentals for Effective Reputation Leadership 

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and Reputation Economy Advisors have partnered to provide a unique series of  online classes aimed at equipping management-level communicators with industry resources to strengthen their credentials, gain greater credibility and advance their career through a cumulative eight-week certificate program in reputation management.

Corporate reputation management is a concept at the core of the communications profession — one that has matured into a management discipline over the past 20 years and extends beyond the traditional domain of the function. As reputation management has expanded into the realm of business strategy and corporate governance, communicators are seen as the go-to experts inside their organizations.

To equip management-level communicators with advanced perspective, best practices and resources to meet the changing expectations of senior management for reputation leadership, this brand-new professional development offering is designed as a certificate-of-completion program. The live, online series of eight modules will launch on May 10, 2017 and run through June 28, 2017, airing each consecutive Wednesday from 3–4 p.m. EDT. All modules will be recorded so that participants can review them after the live date.

Additionally, participants who are PRSA members will be given access to PRSA’s Reputation Management Community, an exclusive online forum offering private access and interactive dialogue with other members taking this course.

After successfully completing a 16-question, multiple-choice test at the end of the series, registrants will be awarded a certificate-of-completion and digital badge for their LinkedIn profile and resume.

The eight-week Reputation Management Course modules include:

  • Your Reputation Champion’s Path: (Anthony Johndrow, CEO, Reputation Economy Advisors & Laura Kane, Chief Communications Officer, PRSA)
  • KPIs and Collaboration, the Reputation Journey: (Leigh Horner, Vice President, Corporate Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility, Hershey)
  • Measurement Discipline—Solve the Reputation Value Equation: prove it – using analytics to quantify impact of Communications efforts (Billy Mann, Partner, Quadrant Strategies)
  • CSR and Reputation – Establishing a Vision: (Pamela Gill Alabaster, SVP Corporate Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility, Revlon Inc.)
  • Reputation and the CEO: (Leslie Gaines-Ross, Chief Reputation Strategist, Weber Shandwick)
  • Digital Reputation: (Jim Issokson, Senior Vice President/Group Head, North American Communications, MasterCard)
  • Corporate Diplomacy and Executive Leadership: (Mike Fernandez, CEO, Burson-Marsteller USA)
  • Reputation and the Communicator’s Career: (Lisa Ryan, SVP, Heyman Associates)

For more information.

Presentation of Pat Jackson Award – April 12

The Yankee Chapter will honor Van McLeod, posthumous recipient of the of the 2017 Patrick Jackson Award on Wednesday, April 12, at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord from 5:30 – 7 p.m.

There is no charge for this gathering. Learn about the history of the Patrick Jackson Award and the man who was a national PR leader at this cocktail reception and tribute to this year’s recipient, Van McLeod.