Blogging for human rights: A case of online dissidence

In my previous post, I spoke of blogging as a tool for PR and how this online communication has become a strategic tool in the corporate world. In addition to a professional motive, blogs have the potential to relay powerful messages of protest, hope, and according to one of today's New York Times headlines, dissidence.

I've included a link to the article and encourage anyone to check it out, because it shows the stark contrast of free communication in our society vs. a society like China, in which a young human rights advocate and his wife have been held under house arrest since 2006 for disseminating information about human rights cases, peasant protests and other "touchy" topics that the Chinese government would prefer to keep under wraps with the approaching August Beijing Olympic games. This couple is just an example of the dozens of "online dissidents" who have been speaking out through blogs and online petitions for human rights awareness in China. Hu Jia and his wife Zeng Jinyan have had their telephone and Internet connections severed, in addition to the confiscation of his bank cards, computers and cell phones. Ms. Zeng began blogging to raise awareness and generate publicity about the "intense surveillance of the couple."

According to the article, China has jailed 51 online dissidents. That's more than any other country in the world. I had no idea that blogging had become such a tool for activism in this part of the world, and I think that communicators in the West should be aware of this blatant attack on civil rights. We should do their part and check out Global Voices Online, a nonprofit forum for bloggers around the world, in addition to the various online petitions and Chinese blogs calling for change in their country.

With our blessed right to communicate as we do, let's not be ignorant of those who are without.

Blogging as a tool for PR

After browsing several sites dedicated to either PR blogs or blogs about PR blogs, it’s easy to see the dramatic effect this tool has on corporate communications, both in the United States and abroad. I suppose the obvious question is, why blog? What does a blog add to a company’s profile or an individual’s resume? For one, I believe it adds credibility. When a PR professional such as Colin Byrne, CEO of Weber Shandwick UK, comments daily on anything from stock market trends and its effects on PR practices, to current events and entertainment gossip, I as a client, would see a certain savvy that might not be quite so obvious in a formal business setting.

Secondly, I think Richard Laerrner of The Bad Pitch Blog, nailed it on the head when he said that “PR is about everyone working together to make it work…stop shouting from the rooftops about who did what; just get excited by the mutual work.” PR blogs can and should be used to share insights and information that ultimately make the entire industry more reputable. FCNow, the staff weblog to FastCompany.com, offers “frequent, short, sharp and substantial entries” including new ideas, business news and current events, and generally “shedding light on the ‘world of work.’” Insights that aren’t typically in the magazine, or in the story, or on the corporate website, are offered on blogs to the general public, clients and other PR professionals with the result of, in my opinion, better and more well-rounded PR.

Etiquitte anyone?

I believe that to be an effective communicator, establish contacts and maintain relationships, one must not forget about the basics of communication etiquette, an art which, unfortunately, our generation has let slide way too far down the list of priorities. Most of these skills are pure common sense and follow a sort of golden-rule mentality. For example, the act of returning phone calls. I’m not sure if the text-message take-over is to blame or just plain disregard for others’ time and energy, but getting people on the phone these days is almost impossible. Obviously, everyone is busy; everyone has a million tasks on their plate, but the last time I checked, it’s not terribly difficult to find five minutes out of a day to call someone back if they have called and left a message, especially if it’s an inquiry of some sort. This past week, I tried to contact three different individuals by phone several times regarding a semi-urgent matter, leaving voicemails for each. Not one response. Not one! This is
a) not how you maintain relationships,
b) not how you establish effective professional connections, and
c) not how you keep up a noteworthy reputation.
Thoughts?

You have to start somewhere

Greetings! Welcome to my first stab at blogging. For someone who has kept a written journal since the 5th grade, hopefully this will come somewhat naturally.

I'm a second-semester junior at Southern Methodist University majoring in both Corporate Communications/Public Affairs and International Studies. I'm also one class away from finishing up my Spanish minor, a feat I'm excited to accomplish. Hopefully these credentials will carry me into a communications career, but first I need to explore the field, which is the purpose of this blog.

This space is designed not only for my own personal exploration, but I invite anyone in the field, PR professionals, journalists, professors and other students, to contribute feedback as well. Thanks for stopping by and I'll keep you posted!