Madam, - Siobhán O'Connell's article on "what not to do in PR" ( Media Marketing, August 23rd) was an enlightening insight into an industry that the rest of us irreverently call spin-doctoring.
The fact that the Government spends €10 million euro of taxpayers' money on this activity shows how important it feels it to be. Whether we call it public relations or spin-doctoring, it is interesting that the Government in its wisdom thought there should be no cuts in that expenditure in the recent budget.
Whether or not this is money well spent and whether or not the Government was right not to cut it depends on one's point of view. But the attitude of some of the PR consultants quoted by Ms O'Connell raises questions about their appreciation of the right of ordinary people to voice their opinions in a democracy.
Patronising statements such as, "voters like to see their politicians being guided by principles", insult our intelligence. But when ordinary people use the media to voice criticism and are accused of being "mischief makers" indulging in "political point-scoring and hysteria" to the point of "misinformation" - by PR people who are no strangers to these activities themselves - I draw the line.
I think, therefore, that the Government's €10 million budget for spin-doctoring would be better spent on teaching children in national schools in disadvantaged areas. - Yours, etc,
A. LEAVY,
Shielmartin Drive,
Sutton, Dublin 13.