Is PR Fundamental to Democracy
Known by many in the field as the mother of public relations, Betsy Plank died last week at the age of 86. A pioneering executive in the field, it’s worth sharing a few things she had to say about what we do.
"Public relations is fundamental to a democratic society where people make decisions in the workplace, marketplace, the community and the voting booth. Its primary mission is to forge responsible relationships of understanding, trust and respect among groups and individuals – even when they disagree."
- Excerpt from acceptance remarks by Betsy Plank in 2002, upon becoming the first woman to receive the Institute for Public Relations’ Alexander Hamilton Award.
Plank was a corporate executive at AT&T and worked with PR legend Daniel Edelman for two decades. She was the first woman to become national president of the Public Relations Society of America and an ardent advocate for professional standards and education in the field of PR.
Plank also said, "This is a profession rooted in the history of this country, which was founded on the idea of people having an informed choice, participating in dialogue, reaching compromise and consensus. Public relations has played an essential role in that tradition and democratic process…."
The profession could use some PR - a dose of its own good medicine - and I suspect Betsy Plank would agree.
Now more than ever, her brand of wise counsel might call us to question spin doctors who polarize people and the flacks who script for high drama shouting matches. Even if not in vogue, the more challenging work of PR is to facilitate intelligent discourse, discover common ground and connect (not disconnect) things that naturally belong together.
When practiced by trustworthy and fair-minded professionals like Betsy Plank, the role of public relations does, in fact, merit a respected role in a democratic society. After 30 years in the PR business, I find myself referencing our practice at Hahn, Texas less by the PR handle and more often by describing our work as simply communications and public affairs. We are here to help communicate, to facilitate trust-building, shape reputations and connect what belongs together.
Thanks for your good work and wisdom, Betsy Plank.
- Kerry Tate
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