Welcome back. I took a much-needed sanity break, but while I was out – ethics issues didn’t stop. A few highlights this week include ethical issues with sponsored content, ethicswashing and AI
- How AI could amplify misinformation – NextGov had a fascinating piece on how AI could amplify disinformation campaigns. I have been talking about it for years, but this backed by research and shows how in one sample is significantly swayed opinion with misinformation.
- Local news, sponsored content and ethics –@imeluny drew my attention to a John Oliver piece last week on the further blurring of sponsored content lines on local media. A USC Annenberg study showed this troubling trend a few years ago when it predicted more than half of Americans would not be able to tell the difference in reporting and sponsored content. This is just a powerful example. It struck a chord with me, for I saw a similar piece in May on local news and asked my wife – How the heck are they not disclosing this is sponsored?
- Ethicswashing and Greenwashing – I have discussed this topic a lot with my clients and students. It is not enough to say you believe in something – you need to act on it. The New York Times had a great piece last week on Greenwashing. Chipotle handled it well, other companies, not as well…
Latest posts by Mark McClennan, APR, Fellow PRSA (see all)
- The Ethical Implications of Blurred Lines – Cheryll Forsatz - September 18, 2023
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