The Institute of Public Relations is escalating its campaign
against publications which charge PR agencies for editorial coverage and
has called on the Advertising Standards Authority for its support.
The IPR has previously voiced concern over colour separation charges but
sees editorial charges as a separate issue.
IPR president Simon Lewis said: ’This is an outrageous practice which is
now common in the UK trade and technical press. Businesses are being
encouraged to buy their way into the press, which is totally at odds
with the tradition of editorial freedom.’
The IPR has asked the ASA to support its recommendation that a clause be
added to press releases stating that news and pictures ’cannot be
subject to a transaction of any kind.’
Lewis said the IPR intends to ’name and shame’ titles if they continue
to charge for editorial. The main offenders are the motoring and
technical press, some consumer titles and regional weeklies.
