The concept of public relations, spin, or media manipulation is now familiar. The scandals of government spin doctors have become increasingly prominent in the news. The world of commercial public relations however is little known to the general public. Industry giants such as Bell Pottinger, or Hill & Knowlton are almost unknown.

Corporate Watch's PR project investigates the secretive world of the corporate spin industry in the UK and reveals a billion pound industry that wields extraordinary influence over government, the media and public opinion. The industry is not only responsible for massive profit-driven 'cultural pollution' but also distorts the democratic process and reduces society's capacity to act on key environmental and social issues.

This project maps out the UK's PR industry, the companies and other institutions involved, and their place in the economy; describes the activities and tactics of PR; attempts to assess the overall effects of the industry on society; and makes recommendations as to how to remedy the inherent problems associated with it.

Below are links to each chapter of our new report, to relevant articles from our news service and to Corporate Watch profiles of PR companies and lobbying groups.

Articles

"Lobby and PR Groups Go For Nano Honeypot", CW Newsletter 26, Oct 2005 [www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=2077]

"Who's Pulling the EU Lobby Strings?", CW Newsletter 25, Aug 2005 [www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=1872]

"Long Lunches Drinks and Dinner: The Secret of Successful PR", CW Newsletter 24, June 2005 [www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=1504]

"Queen Backs PR Front Group", CW Newsletter 23, April 2005

"Its Official: No Dark Machiavellian Conspiracy for New Nuclear Power", CW Newsletter 21, Dec 2004

"We're Dangerous"a report from the Institute of Public Relations AGM, CW Newsletter 19, July 2004 [www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=581]

"Propaganda Diary", CW Newsletter 11/12, Dec 2002

"PR Without End", CW Newsletter 10, Aug 2002

"BASDards at the World Summit on Sustainable Development", CW Newsletter 9, June 2002

"BASDards: Business Action for Sustainable Development", CW Newsletter 5, Sept 2001

Profiles

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). Sept 2003 [www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=397]

An Overview of the Public Relations Industry. April 2003 [www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=1570]

Burson-Marsteller. July 2002 [www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=392]

LOTIS Committee (Liberalisation of Trade in Services). July 2002 [www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=382]

Ogilvy & Mather. July 2002 [www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=387]

Hill & Knowlton. June 2002 [www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=377]