Public relations

This chapter examines the rise of public relations as a philosophy and an industry and debates how to understand their increased importance in the era of neoliberalism. It notes the key importance of the state and business in disseminating and suppressing information as well as the countervailing tactics which are used by pressure groups and other activists. The chapter examines the relative success of various tactics and groups in managing the news and how this relates to the exercise of political and economic power. It points to contemporary developments in ownership and control of the media and promotional industries and argues that these tend to narrow the space for free debate. As corporate power both increases and is increasingly subject to challenge, the question of curbing 'promotional culture' is raised.