Kony 2012 - Spin taken too far?

I finally watched the video. Yes. THE VIDEO. That got to be watched over 72million times, tweeted by celebrities P. Diddy and Rihanna.


However, this movie is 6 years too late because:

1. The war in Uganda has been over for years.
2. There are no 'invisible children' in Gulu any more, they all went home.
3. This is the second time Americans have given technical assistance to try and catch Kony. That decision was not prompted by the Invisible Children as the claim.
3. Kony is in CAR or Congo running around with about 200 supporters if not less.

I am rational enough to realize when someone is trying to genuinely do good. It is just wrong when you assume that the people who you are trying to help need help and cannot help themselves. The film carries a story that is not being told by the residents of Gulu, but by the Americans!! Yet on the other hand, I believe that the presence of US advisors in this situation is a good thing, because it is important to pass a message to people world over, however little.

I am just of the opinion that the film will provide incredible insight on how to carry out a global marketing campaign to create an instant online community of activists and spread awareness by going viral. So rather than just the content that is totally misplaced and misguided, in my opinion, this video should serve as a 'how-to-guide' for various communications practitioners especially in Charity.

I did learn something.

Still confused? PR is not Journalism

I am honestly dismayed at the job vacancy adverts in the media. Since the 1990s when all Communications Specialists came from Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, we still have to focus and understand that PR is not Mass Communication. I recently made the resolution of not looking at a Job advert twice if it spelt out, "Looking for Journalism/PR degree" in the same sentence!

Fact: PR is more about building relationships. Journalism is about searching for news, editing and writing the story. For me, writing is just a section of what a "Public Relations/Communications Specialist is all about.

I totally agree that a combination of editorial and public relations skills to tell a client's story in credible publicitage is necessary. That is just PR becoming dynamic...mmmmhh.

PR is so much more than just news stories and writing releases. I agree an important part but not the be all and end all. Engaging with your audience is a critical aspect of PR and I can think of very many journalists, past and present, who really do not have those skills. Strategic thinking is another critical aspect and again a simplistic focus on short term news headlines will not achieve the long term goals of good PR.

I stand corrected!