Striking a Better Balance

"Never before have so many sought out information yet but been so misinformed." This intriguing and provocative comment was made recently by veteran television correspondent Chuck Todd of NBC at a lecture he gave at George Mason University in Northern Virginia. His audience was comprised primarily of communication students interested in pursuing a career in public relations. Todd's observation has given much food for thought. My first response is: Is this true? Do I agree with his observation? If it is, then how has it come to be and who or what is most responsible for such an unhealthy and unwanted reality?

In terms of the veracity of this remark, while I am not aware of any scientific data to support such a claim, I tend to believe what Todd said to be the case. There are several reasons for this: (1) the steady decline of newspapers; (2) the shrinking news holes in those newspapers that remain; (3) cut backs on news departments in the print and electronic media; (4) rise of social media and the ability of individuals to blast out over the Internet anything they wish without regard for verification or context; (5) the 24-hour cable news networks; and (6) rise of public relations practitioners hired to promote specific, one-sided perspectives on various issues.

This list of trends in the news world is not good for any of us. The result seems to be a society in which citizens have opinions that are stronger-than-ever, yet are less fact-based. As a student, practitioner and teacher of public relations, I am currently struggling with ideas as to what scholars and professionals in this important field do to help reverse such a negative trend? I confess to not having a ready-made answer. While one obvious solution is those in public relations should continue to be credible, ethical and transparent in all they do. The more truth-tellers are engaged in the public forum, the better. Communicators at all levels need to do a better job of balancing the needs of those they represent with what is good for society.