Same game new name..

This is the complete posting without the citations. One of the previous citations was attached to a Chinese website causing some change in the content of the material presented. 

“Throughout the history of mankind, power holders have been keen on having control over the content and distribution of public information in a society. Authoritarian and totalitarian regimes of the 20th century have created the most complicated and all-embracing machine series of machineries of manipulation information and public opinion by using mass media and censorship.” 

Epp Lauk

The censorship of the former Soviet Union shocked the West. Freedom of speech, the press and expression encapsulate the American ideal. Now with the advent of China as a superpower the totalitarian regime created the Great Firewall and is reminiscent of the days of the Iron Curtain.

In 1949, Radio Free Europe became part of the CIA until it‘s conversion to a government funded non-profit organization in 1971, thank you Nixon. RFE used radio waves to communicate “democratic values and institutions by disseminating factual information” to countries and government where news outlets serve as propaganda machines. The guiding premise of “that the first requirement of democracy is a well informed citizenry” drives the organization to continue.

RFE/RL’s influence on the former USSR as well as other Warsaw Pack countries goes unquestioned. Polish leader Lech Walsea said its role was comparable to the one the sun plays to the Earth.

Obviously, the complexity of the Internet makes parallels to this post-war era difficult or does it?

The USSR enforced strict censorship laws from 1917 until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The government created an division focused solely on issues of censorship called the Main Administration for Safeguarding State Secrets in the Press. The specifications and legal jargon within this organization appears to be vague and specifically coded for certain individuals.

Conversely, The “People’s” Republic of China almost plagiarized their State Secret Laws from the model provided by it’s mentor to the west.

The USSR recruited 30,000 individuals to censor materials current estimations claim China employ 30,000 to 50,000 to scower the net for unsavory postings.

Net Neutrality represents a Western value. The link to Adam Segal’s profile was put here. Tim Berners-Less who’s credited as the creator of the world wide web said, “The neutral communications medium is essential to our society. It is the basis of a fair competitive market economy. It is the basis of democracy, by which a community should decide what to do. It is the basis of science, by which humankind should decide what is true. Let us protect the neutrality of the net." I couldn’t agree with you more, Tim. Although it’s my belief that there should be protections in place to filter imprecate content to our children.

The Chinese government remains fixed in their response citing their constitution Chapter 2 Article 35, “Article 35. Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration.”


The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games provide China and those living under the oppressive reign of communism a global platform condemning the unjust treatment they face. The government has lifted some of their journalistic bans around the country in preparation for the Games. However, many wonder with the influx of international journalist and travelers how will the temporary information technology ability adversely effect the Chinese people? Adam Segal, the Maurice R. Greenberg senior fellow in China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations says, “It’s a huge problem for the Communist Party.” He continues saying, “They’re pushing information technology, or ‘informatization’, they want China to be a technological power, and they want technology to improve the country’s competitiveness. At the same time, they want to control information to keep their own hold on power.”

All of this leads to the question will the Beijing games serve as a similar catalyst as President Reagan when he demanded, “Mr. Gorbachov, TEAR THIS WALL DOWN”

Same game new name..

This is the complete posting without the citations

“Throughout this history of mankind. power holders have been keen on having control over the content and distribution of public information in a society. Authoritarian and totalitarian regimes of the 20th century have created the most complicated and all-embracing machine series of manipulation information and public opinion by using mass media and censorship.” Epp Lauk

The censorship of the former Soviet Union shocked the West. Freedom of speech, the press and expression encapsulate the American ideal. Now with the advent of China as a superpower the totalitarian regime created the Great Firewall and is reminiscent of the days of the Iron Curtin.

In 1949, Radio Free Europe became part of the CIA until it‘s conversion to a government funded non-profit organization in 1971, thank you Nixon. RFE used radio waves to communicate “democratic values and institutions by disseminating factual information” to countries and government where news outlets serve as propaganda machines. The guiding premise of “that the first requirement of democracy is a well informed citizenry” drives the organization to continue.

RFE/RL’s influence on the former USSR as well as other Warsaw Pack countries goes unquestioned. Polish leader Lech Walsea said its role was comparable to the one the sun plays to the Earth.

Obviously, the complexity of the internet makes parallels to this post-war era difficult or does it?

The USSR enforced strict censorship laws from 1917 until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The government created an division focused solely on issues of censorship called the Main Administration for Safeguarding State Secrets in the Press. The specifications and legal jargon within this organization appears to be vague and specifically coded for certain individuals.

Conversely, The “People’s” Republic of China almost plagiarized their State Secret Laws from the model provided by it’s mentor to the west.

The USSR recruited 30,000 individuals to censor materials current estimations claim China employ 30,000 to 50,000 to scower the net for unsavory postings.

Net Neutrality represents a Western value. The link to Adam Segal’s profile was put here. Tim Berners-Less who’s credited as the creator of the world wide web said, “The neutral communications medium is essential to our society. It is the basis of a fair competitive market economy. It is the basis of democracy, by which a community should decide what to do. It is the basis of science, by which humankind should decide what is true. Let us protect the neutrality of the net." I couldn’t agree with you more, Tim. Although it’s my belief that there should be protections in place to filter imprecate content to our children.

The Chinese government remains fixed in their response citing their constitution Chapter 2 Article 35, “Article 35. Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration.”


The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games provide China and those living under the oppressive reign of communism a global platform condemning the unjust treatment they face. The government has lifted some of their journalistic bans around the country in preparation for the Games. However, many wonder with the influx of international journalist and travelers how will the temporary information technology ability adversely effect the Chinese people? Adam Segal, the Maurice R. Greenberg senior fellow in China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations says, “It’s a huge problem for the Communist Party.” He continues saying, “They’re pushing information technology, or ‘informatization’, they want China to be a technological power, and they want technology to improve the country’s competitiveness. At the same time, they want to control information to keep their own hold on power.”

All of this leads to the question will the Beijing games serve as a similar catalyst as President Reagan when he demanded, “Mr. Gorbachov, TEAR THIS WALL DOWN”

Same Game New Name...

“Throughout this history of mankind. power holders have been keen on having control over the content and distribution of public information in a society. Authoritarian and totalitarian regimes of the 20th century have created the most complicated and all-embracing machine series of manipulation information and public opinion by using mass media and censorship.”

Epp Lauk

The censorship of the former Soviet Union shocked the West. Freedom of speech, the press and expression encapsulate the American ideal. Now with the advent of China as a superpower the totalitarian regime created the "Great Firewall" and is reminiscent of the days of the Iron Curtin.

In 1949, Radio Free Europe became part of the CIA until it's conversion to a government funded non-profit organization in 1971, thank you Nixon. RFE used radio waves to communicate “democratic values and institutions by disseminating factual information” to countries and government where news outlets serve as propaganda machines. The guiding premise of “the first requirement of democracy is a well informed citizenry” drives the organization to continue.

RFE/RL’s influence on the former USSR as well as other Warsaw Pact countries goes unquestioned. Polish leader Lech Walsea said its role was comparable to the one the sun plays to the earth.

Obviously, the complexity of the internet makes parallels to this post-war era difficult or does it?

The USSR enforced strict censorship laws from 1917 until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The government created a division focused solely on issues of censorship called the Main Administration for Safeguarding State Secrets in the Press. The specifications and legal jargon within this organization appears to be vague and specifically coded for certain individuals.

Conversely, The “People’s” Republic of China almost plagiarized their State Secret Laws from the model provided by it’s mentor to the North.

The USSR recruited 30,000 individuals to censor materials. Current estimations claim China employs

Net Neutrality represents a Western value. Tim Berners-Less, who’s credited as the creator of the world wide web said, “The neutral communications medium is essential to our society. It is the basis of a fair competitive market economy. It is the basis of democracy, by which a community should decide what to do. It is the basis of science, by which humankind should decide what is true. Let us protect the neutrality of the net." I couldn’t agree with you more, Tim. Although it’s my belief that there should be protections in place to filter inappropriate content to our children.

The Chinese government remains fixed in their response citing their constitution

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games provide China and others living under the oppressive reign of communism a global platform condemning the unjust treatment they face. The Chinese government has lifted some of their journalistic bans around the country in preparation for the Games. However, many wonder with the influx of international journalist and travelers, if the temporary information technology ability adversely effect the Chinese people?

The issues addressed lead to the question, will the Beijing games serve as a similar catalyst which propelled President Reagan to demand, "Mr. Gorbachov, TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!!!"

Serving up the scoop...

Who can resist glancing over the covers of The National Enquirer or scoping out a Star? If you can, more power to you!

FACT: WE LOVE CELEBS!!!

FACT: We talk about them on a first name basis and expect those around us to be in the know.

SAD FACT: We concentrate more on "who's the baby daddy" rather than international leaders.

On those days when research paper progress moves at a snail's pace, I am often lured to TMZ.com looking for a mindless info fix. Just yesterday, I scrolled down the gossip layden page until something unsuspecting caught my eye, "Thanks for Ruining 'Apprentice', Omarosa." I never bought into the reality tv craze but I knew this Omarosa was a character.

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What I found next ... PR at its worst! Apparently, Omarosa's publicist is quite the eager beaver, circulating press releases announcing Omarosa's appearance on NBC's Today Show. Here's the kicker ... each Friday the fired "Celebrity" visits Matt, Mer, Anne and Al.

FACT: The early bird does get the worm but make sure it's the worm you want!

Betty and the Doughboy...

Of course PR professionals and firms stay current on trends and online phenomenons but what about everyone else?


My love for baking stems from long afternoons in the kitchen with Grammy. Currently attending college five states away from home, satisfying my sweet tooth presents a problem. Overnight care packages provide instant gratification but more commonly, I brave boxed mixes.

Bakers are an interesting bunch. They can be coy and competitive yet sugary sweet, cautious to disclose recipes unless totally prepared from scratch. I've come to realize, many a baker occasionally substitute homemade for the home baked taste of treats cooked from boxed ingredients. Pillsbury, a household name for generations, offer such products. Pillsbury has recently designed a mechanism to take their name to the next level.

The "Pillsbury Community" provides a forum for exchange, grievances and connection. At first glance, I was convinced there were in house individuals posing as consumers, but they weren't. Any Internet user can view one of the nine topics ranging from Quick and Tasty Breakfast to Kid-Friendly Fun in the Kitchen. Members of the community have the ability to comment on threads and Pillsbury newsletters.

The first thread voiced concerns from diabetic bakers wondering why Pillsbury's sugar free product are difficult to find. "Janette at Pillsbury" comments back providing the company's perspective on the given topics. This format is FREE! Pillsbury's facilitation of this community allows for them to monitor their product line constantly with individuals who purchase their product. In regards to the discontinued sugar-free products, Amy1958 said, "No one I know has ever heard of them either. Apparently, Pillsbury did not do effective advertising." BOOM automatic FREE feedback!

Competitor Betty Crocker takes a different perspective.

Not only does "Conversations" from Betty Crocker field product questions, the company goes the extra mile. The in-house commenters provide practical product information as well as genuinely commenting on homemade recipes and sharing personal experience experiences of culinary creations utilizing Betty's bakery makings.

Community.Pillsbury versus Community.BettyCrocker represent competitive online marketing strategies cooked up to provide each organization with a taste of consumer feedback.

The winds of change...

Until embarking upon the class syllabus assignment of weekly blogging, I rated my knowledge of the internet to be a 7 on a scale of 10. My buddy, Brad Skeba, often verbalizes the motivational montra, “blow your paradigm.” Being a budding communicator, the reference to theory always gets a rise out of me. However, it wasn’t until recently that my paradigm was officially blown...

Blown away by elements of the online world that our generation has come to accept as regular everyday vernacular from hits and post to Google’s ability to take on almost any grammatical form. An online presence is paramount. Yet many underestimate it’s feasible and practical uses for business.

It’s only logical that companies would be able to quantify their effectiveness on the web. How is data collected? What tools made an organization’s presence known? And how does this all this work in concert?

According to Lisa McNeill with Ignite Social Media, she answers the question about social media campaign effectiveness constantly.Thankfully, I am not alone in my online ignorance. The difficulty in charting this media stems from its individual client tailoring approach. When it comes to traffic more isn’t always better and promotion of participation may be preeminent. So, predetermined pick a format types need not inquire.


Derek Gehl, CEO of The Internet Marketing Center (IMC), dished out how using a blog effectively propelled one of his clients to the #1 spot on Google in less than a week. The tips rang from add your blog to blog directories to providing “meta tags” with niche specific keywords, creating a virtual thermometer of options to heighten the client's degree of effectivness.

I’m intrigued with social media releases. As an up and coming newbie in the PR field I must expand my knowledge of this concept. The creation the downloadable pdf format SMR like SHIFT’s … ingenious. It’s accessible and easy to use, the paint by number for PR.

Imitation is the finest form of flattery and imitate they did.

Distributing wire services of SMRs created different structures, patterns and pricing structures for their services… thank you capitalism! The ensuing problem for public relations professionals is what service provider best fits your company’s and clients’ needs?


Survey Says…

Professionals need to think back to research classes and the theory of triangulation, using multiple methods to substantiate a theory. SMRs are fun, new and should be used as a component of the modern day press kit. Forrester Reseach’s Charlene Li conducted a study charting adult usage of social media. The findings show more than 50% as “inactives” in this medium, which proves my point that to reach an active consumer SMRs are not enough.

Don’t be too quick to pack up traditional, multi-media or news media releases just yet. Effective public relations campaigns now combine more sources, resources and research. The PR temperture is currently registering a gentle breeze of audimation. The climate is right to harness the hurricane force of the internet and blowing perspective clients away.

I digg how you twitter on my space...

Until recently I didn’t bother with the “blogosphere,” wonder about wikis or give a darn how to digg. Needless to say, every time I open my laptop and start researching for my next post, hours seem to pass as I dive deeper and deeper into the virtual world. It’s no secret that as technology evolves, societal norms change. My grandparents wouldn’t dream of answering the phone at dinner and heaven help you if your cell goes off at their dinner table. My grandparents have no idea what Google is.


Times have changed.

Just the other day, I was sitting eating lunch and catching up with an old friend. I glanced over to the next table and saw two girls sitting there tinkering on their iPhones. I thought to myself, how odd they can't just enjoy each others company. The mobility of communication combined with tech savvy has changed the method of interaction among friends and family. The mode of communications has been altered enormously for new millinium employees climbing the corporate latter. Work can be done on the rode, on the fly, or on the beach the Brooks Brothers suite mentality is being placed in the far depths of closets rather than being worn creating a larger generation gap. Blogging rocks employeers who find comfort in tradition an stability proving that work is no longer 9-5. PR is no longer solely dependent on press releases, creating spin and wowing networked media. The internet has developed in ways even Al Gore could not have predicted. Within the .com world there are subcultures that have coincidently created impromptu “target markets.” My theory... The internet should be a public relations professional’s laboratory and I'm not alone.

Hope for success…brace for failure.


Social Media Releases or SMRs are steadily gaining in use and popularity thanks from a call to order from Tom Foremski and implementation by Todd Defren and his SHIFT Communications crew. The effectiveness of SMR is not just based off of its instantaneous impact but its “loggable impact.” I now have the capabilities to save the information from the SMR until I’m ready or able to use it. It makes life easy, everything you’d need is a click away. Blogging is the new communication platform and the SMR program caters to the multimedia needs and demands of current communicators. The following video was produced by WEBIT PR and expands apon the importance of online communications and how the SMR program positivily impacts the PR world.





Blogging and social media go against the traditional grain of PR. In this day and age, communication is about fluidity and transparency, two adjectives rarely aligned with the public relations field. However, these 6 perspectives changed my perspective on the question, "why blog?" I think blogging has created an unbelievably unique opportunity for PR professionals in the fact that they can receive feedback through comments almost instantaniously. Regardless of whether or not blogging will leave a lasting impact in PR blogging is is here, blogging is now and blogging's got staying power.