It is a self-regarding conceit of journalism that we are the dogs for whom public relations furnishes the lamp posts, says There is a phrase attributed to, among others, Harold Evans when he was editor of The Sunday Times, which was advice given to his reporters: "Always ask yourself, when interviewing a politician, why is this bastard lying to me?" It's been denounced as cynical, but it's from a more innocent age. It was self-servingly innocent to assume that "lying" is a one-sided phenomenon. Today, advice by any government communications adviser to ministers, MPs, civil servants and political aides would be a variation on the Evans advice: "Always ask yourself, when being interviewed by a journalist, how will this bastard distort what I'm saying?"
While Lloyd paints a dark and cynical picture of this journalism/PR niche, he then goes on to highlight a significant point which I believe is the heart of the real David Miliband, Minister of Communities and Local Government in the UK and a member of the cabinet, DiggThis | NevilleHobson.com blog which focuses on business communication and technology.
Neville is currentlly the VP of New Marketing at NevilleHobson.com
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