PR Watch
Encyclopedia
PR Watch is a web site, and until 2008 a quarterly newsletter
, whose stated mission is to expose deceptive and misleading public relations
campaigns. It particularly covers US environmental issues, but also covers topics ranging from labor rights
to world affairs. It is published by PR Watch, a project of the Center for Media and Democracy
, and is the creation of Center director John Stauber
and PR Watch editor Sheldon Rampton
.
and mass media
spin in its Spin of the Day section. Its Impropaganda Review offers tips on "How to Research Front Groups" and a "Rogues Gallery of Industry Front Groups and Anti-Environmental Think Tanks." It has also started the SourceWatch
(formerly Disinfopedia) project, a specialized wiki
encyclopedia
about propaganda
and public relations campaigns.
, Grodzins Fund, Jenifer Altman Foundation, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, Rockwood Fund, Roy and Niuta Titus Foundation, Stern Family Fund, Town Creek Foundation, and the Turner Foundation.
Newsletter
A newsletter is a regularly distributed publication generally about one main topic that is of interest to its subscribers. Newspapers and leaflets are types of newsletters. Additionally, newsletters delivered electronically via email have gained rapid acceptance for the same reasons email in...
, whose stated mission is to expose deceptive and misleading public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
campaigns. It particularly covers US environmental issues, but also covers topics ranging from labor rights
Labor rights
Labor rights or workers' rights are a group of legal rights and claimed human rights having to do with labor relations between workers and their employers, usually obtained under labor and employment law. In general, these rights' debates have to do with negotiating workers' pay, benefits, and safe...
to world affairs. It is published by PR Watch, a project of the Center for Media and Democracy
Center for Media and Democracy
The Center for Media and Democracy is a non-profit investigative reporting group. The CMD gives analysis and opinion on policies such as the economy, environment and national security...
, and is the creation of Center director John Stauber
John Stauber
John Stauber is an American writer and political activist who has co-authored five books about propaganda by governments, private interests and the PR industry...
and PR Watch editor Sheldon Rampton
Sheldon Rampton
Sheldon Rampton was the American editor of PR Watch, and is the author of several books that criticize the public relations industry and what he sees as other forms of corporate and government propaganda....
.
Spin of the Day
In addition to archives of the newsletter, the PR Watch web site also offers daily reporting on public relations, propagandaPropaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
and mass media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
spin in its Spin of the Day section. Its Impropaganda Review offers tips on "How to Research Front Groups" and a "Rogues Gallery of Industry Front Groups and Anti-Environmental Think Tanks." It has also started the SourceWatch
SourceWatch
SourceWatch is an internet wiki site that is a collaborative project of the liberal Center for Media and Democracy...
(formerly Disinfopedia) project, a specialized wiki
Wiki
A wiki is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used collaboratively by multiple users. Examples include...
encyclopedia
Encyclopedia
An encyclopedia is a type of reference work, a compendium holding a summary of information from either all branches of knowledge or a particular branch of knowledge....
about propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
and public relations campaigns.
Funding
PR Watch and the Center for Media and Democracy reported receiving funding from a number of organizations founded by heirs of industrial and real estate fortunes. Their reported funding sources include, among others, the Bydale Foundation, Careth Foundation, Carolyn Foundation, Changing Horizons Charitable Trust, CS Fund, Deer Creek Foundation, Educational Foundation of America, Schumann Center for Media and DemocracySchumann Center for Media and Democracy
The Schumann Center for Media and Democracy was established in 1961, by Florence Ford and John J.Schumann Jr. The foundation states that its purpose is to renew the democratic process through cooperative acts of citizenship, especially as they apply to governance and the environment...
, Grodzins Fund, Jenifer Altman Foundation, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, Rockwood Fund, Roy and Niuta Titus Foundation, Stern Family Fund, Town Creek Foundation, and the Turner Foundation.