Public Relations industry grapples with fake news and conspiracies

Practising ethical PR in an environment plagued by fake news is one of the top concerns of PR and communications professionals working in Aotearoa, New Zealand according to a recent survey.

A survey of members of the PR Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ), which represents around 10 percent of those working in the local communications sector, found that respondents believe the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories are the biggest challenges facing the public relations industry.

According to The Disinformation Project, which studies misinformation and disinformation in Aotearoa New Zealand, disinformation is defined as, “False information created with the intention of harm. This harm could be to a person, a group or an organisation.” Whereas, it defines misinformation as, “False information that wasn’t created with the intent to hurt others.”

In consideration of this growing concern, PRINZ has engaged with Kate Hannah, Director and Founder of The Disinformation Project Aotearoa, for a virtual bespoke webinar on the 22 of September.

Information ecologies in Aotearoa New Zealand have adapted and changed significantly since 2020, with critical social, cultural, and political implications for social cohesion, trust, and wellbeing. This session will briefly examine the key tipping points which led to these adaptations and changes, place this in the context of international trends.

‘’I am interested in exploring what this means for us as whānau, communities – a country – as we examine our shared information landscape. While sadly that which we might wish to dismiss as conspiracy is having an effect on our social and political spaces, and particularly our shared understanding of the state, democracy, and citizenship, there are, as always, things that we can do individually and collectively to mitigate these effects,” says Hannah

PRINZ invites PR and communications professionals to join this symposium to enhance their understanding of disinformation and gain practical insights for navigating its challenges.

The webinar will be held on Friday 22 September from 12 noon – 1:30pm for PRINZ members only. Register here

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