Through blogging and involvement in various discussion boards, I’ve come to the point where I expect to be able to comment on a news article or a board topic, if I so desire. Damn it! It’s my right!
Well, it’s not my right, but definitely my desire to.
However, being in public relations and working for an agency and representing more than a few companies, I’ve found the past few months that I should not comment as freely as I desire.
It is because of either how my comments might impact my relationships with local media or how the opinions of my clients might be affected. (Photo from http://www.speakersofbromley.org.uk/news.htm.)
Mostly, my personal restraint has been with a popular local board, ToledoTalk.com. I’m there posting and commenting on topics of personal and professional interest. There have been numerous discussions about the actions of the local media, events, people and political issues. I’ve refrained from offering my $0.02 now and then because how other visitors might view my employer and/or clients based on what I say.
That need for restaint by PR pros came up around the 30:41 mark of the Oct. 31 Edelman Earshot podcast, Ethics in Social Media Communications. (Thanks to Robert French/InfOpinions for the pointer.)
Essentially, the point was made by Rick Murray that, even if you are voicing a personal opinion on your own time about a work-related client or project, you can’t comment just as a consumer. Under the blogosphere’s expected disclosure obligations, you’d have to state your relationship with the subject or topic.
Else, you’d be putting yourself, your employer and client in potential harm because it might appear that your comment is part of a concerted communications campaign.
Even if you state your relationship, Murray said you’d have to ask yourself if you are “empowered” to speak on behalf of the client or your employer.
Participating on blogs and boards can be personally and professionally productive — but there is also some personal restraint that is needed.
If you don’t like being restrained, find a new job.
– Mike
Technorati tags: Public Relations, Social Media, PR, Communication
