Misinformation and the PR World
The realm of public relations is what connects the people to a client. Whether it is a multi-million dollar business or an influencer, this connection is why trust from the public is necessary from the client, and that trust starts with truth, facts, and a dedication to clear up misinformation in media.
The world of social media is constantly moving and evolving in our daily lives, and with it, so is the ever-adaptive influx of news and information. While everybody has access to the news that does not mean everybody is news literate, which creates the problem of fake news and misinformation spreading increasingly. As professionals in the media, public relations specialists have an obligation and professional commitment to making sure that what is being put into the world for the public to consume is fact checked and true.
Across social media you may come across eye-catching headlines that seem like they may be shocking, concerning, or too good to be true. While many professional outlets may post stories and articles on various media platforms, so too can amateur blogs and accounts dedicated to publishing “news”. For the general public it is a good habit to not trust everything you see online, however as a PR specialist and journalist it is more than a good habit, it is a moral duty.
Recently on Twitter, a social media publication called The Daily Loud, that follows hip-hop and music news, made a post that provided no follow up information other than a claim that claims the family of actor Jamie Foxx was “preparing for the worst” with no context or source provided until after backlash from many. It wasn’t until Corinne Foxx, daughter of Jamie Foxx, took to social media to clear the rumors as well as make a statement regarding the media surrounding the situation.
This is a prime example of misinformation needing to be checked. One of the most important aspects in journalism and PR is making sure that what gets published is completely factual and backed up by a credible source. A PR professional always has the opportunity to get in on what’s going on in the world online but there should always be the caution and responsibility to make sure that what gets spread is factual and not rumors or based on bad intention.
Misinformation can affect everybody and especially for a PR specialist who may have a client affected, there should always be caution in clearing the air to make sure the truth is prioritized. People can be easily influenced by fake news and misleading headlines but in the PR world the obligation to set the record straight on anything should be of utmost importance.
Biography: Samuel Torres, a Chicano student at California State University Northridge is passionate about non-profit organizations and politics. As a determined worker, Torres takes pride in giving back to his community and using his leadership roles to mentor, teach and train others in organizations such as Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlan (M.E.ch.A), Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) and CSUN’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).