Sir, – Mark Paul makes a number of interesting observations about the pros and cons of embargoes on information provided to the media by public relations professionals (Business, November 26th).
One aspect he doesn’t mention is the benefit to print journalists in a 24/7 news cycle. The Cinderella [midnight] embargo puts national print journalists on the same footing as broadcasting and online media.
An embargo can level the playing field.
It can also be beneficial to local print media and can allow an organisation to have its staff and other stakeholders informed rather than read the story first in the media.
An embargo is not designed to keep information secret from readers, listeners and viewers. The opposite is the case. It is to create fairness for the media, public and an organisation’s stakeholders.
– Yours, etc,
JIM WALSH
Walsh:PR , Dublin 2.