Academics from the business school at Leeds Metropolitan University have published research into the relationships between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the media.
In the Yorkshire Evening Post report Dr Ralph Tench (PR course leader?) of Leeds Metropolitan University, said: "Many journalists that we questioned believe too may
companies highlight activities under the banner of CSR that are really just
publicity stunts and photo opportunities. This has damaged the reputation of
CSR."
The research also determined that some journalists believed that the
majority of companies only paid lip service to CSR and did so only to meet legal
requirements."
Richard Bailey, one of Ralph’s colleagues at LMU, might have something to add on his PR Studies blog.
Ralph Tench is our subject group leader (though, on a technicality, not course leader). You might be surprised that there are about 12 full-time PR lecturers at Leeds Met plus a number of part-timers. We're reviving a guest speaker programme and hope to invite you along – but you have my open invitation to call in for lunch whenever suits you. It's time we met.