Events
The National PRIA Conference is coming to Fremantle!
October 13, 2008
Register now for a seat at the Big Debate
It is shaping up as the International PR Debate of the Year.
In one corner will be Britain’s No. 1 communication specialist Alastair Campbell representing "The Old Media." In the other corner appearing for the United States and "The New Media" will be Jennifer McClure, founder and executive director of the Society for New Communication Research.
The pair will take centre stage at the opening session of the PRIA conference on Monday, 13 October, when first Campbell - directly followed by McClure - will deliver much awaited International Keynote Addresses.
Campbell, Tony Blair's legendary Director of Communication, has strong views on the Internet which he blames for a serious erosion of journalistic standards. Delivering the Hugh Cudlipp Lecture recently to a packed audience in London, Campbell declared that news could now be news simply for the fact that someone reports something, regardless of veracity.
New landscape
"Anyone can be a journalist," he added. "Anyone can be a cameraman. A rumour can be launched on a message board and find its way quickly, if interestingly enough, into the U.S. presidential election debate. It is a new landscape. I would love to know where it is all heading."
Campbell's comments drew a riposte from Jennifer McClure, an authority on the use of "The New Media". She told PRIA: "I disagree with Alastair's view on the Internet and where it is taking the media and communication industries. What we have now is a communication revolution.
"This new era is re-shaping and influencing the way we view, perceive, experience and participate in our world. It invites us to re-examine the difference between "news and information" versus "knowledge." Ultimately it means we will have to re-invent the role that news organisations can and should play in society. This is an exciting time indeed.
"It will be great to hear the views of Australian practitioners on all this at the Fremantle Conference. I am truly looking forward to my first visit to Australia."
When: Monday and Tuesday 13 - 14 October 2008
Where: Esplanade Hotel Fremantle, Western Australia
Gala Dinner & Golden Target Awards Presentation: Monday 13 October 2008
