Merten is not wrong: we are all familiar with situations in which
cheating is regarded as a peccadillo or even as a kindness, or in
which - a little full-bodied in system-theoretical
In sociologist's Chinese - "the lie as one of the most effective
mechanisms of system maintenance" is indispensable.
But because good arguments alone are obviously not enough, Merten has also
followed up with an empirical study. In a survey of
over 650 PR experts, he found that the rejection of the
following statements is rather lukewarm: "If I am always loyal
to my company, there are occasionally situations where
I sometimes have to lie to protect the company." According to Merten
this means: "The consensus about lying or not lying does not hold."
After all, Merten is by no means advocating the release of lies, but rather
instead for a "more conscious handling of the same" and for a
communication ethics, which "unforgivingly" gives us a more differentiated
and a more reflective approach to lying. Good so far
roar, lion!
But the first example of how this could be meant in concrete terms,
will certainly not meet with undivided approval: It could be demanded,
according to Merten, that "the written lie should be measured with a harder yardstick.
than the non-fossilizing, verbally presented lie". Which is
then it would probably mean that it is more of a petitesse if politicians,
Business leaders or even journalists tell the untruth on television
say - whether on the talk show or the "Tagesschau". On the other hand
would probably be something of a capital offense if they had the same
Statement in a press release or newspaper in black and white
to paper.
Because the PR expert "his boss, his company, his ideas
Merten went on to say that he should or must "protect" the
for this reason "withhold truths in case of doubt" or even
"lie - but then, of course, as skillfully as possible". The "dirty image
of PR" is thus "structurally conditioned"; public relations workers
would have to "do the dirty work, so to speak - for which they always have a
would have earned a considerable dirt bonus on top of their monthly salary".
Not only refuse collectors will find this statement rather cynical ...
Other questions remain unanswered: whether Merten's breach of taboo really
is helped, for example. And whether we are well advised to give
scientist in the future, who with his research
so vehemently questions that supreme norm to which ultimately also
he is obliged to as a scientist. With this objection, after all
Merten seems to have done the math. For scientists postulate
As with the oath in court, he has "increased truthfulness requirements".
After all, perhaps it is time for social researchers to first
once about the meaningfulness of certain taboos in our society
before they do so for the sake of enlightenment (or perhaps only for the sake of
public attention).
Stephan Russ-Mohl heads the European Journalism Observatory at the University of Lugano.
Not a boring, but almost snare-inducing provocation
therefore from Publicis, now exactly this catharsis of a strike at the
holy peacock stage into a gag for a new campaign. Under
The tragically inspired play was directed by CD Markus Gut, but
winkingly alienated as a light comedy on the billboards
brought.
Not technicians or even star actors do it for half the price.
Financially upstanding companies were chosen for the campaign.
Figures such as a Catholic priest, a soldier, a
football referee, a prototypical politician and also a
Contract killer or a very distinctive representative of the light trade.
In the end, no random casting led to the photos. Who
looks more closely, recognizes behind the role of those who are actually there
their services for half price - albeit in a new sense.
Prize, actors from the Schauspielhaus Zürich. There will also be
the enlightening line: "For only 190 francs a year, the full
Program. Half-price tickets to the Schauspielhaus with the new Half-Fare travelcard
Zurich."
Mother Courage and her advertisers invite you to the Threepenny Opera. Or:
"The theater is a company that sells evening entertainment!",
could be Matthias Hartmann, director of the Zurich Schauspielhaus,
to quote loosely from Brecht.
Advertising designed in-house
The Zurich Schauspielhaus under the direction of Matthias Hartmann
has a large part of its advertising created in-house. The
Posters for the individual productions are as simple as
Former "playbills" designed with text and typesetting only. For the
The dramaturgy department is responsible for the more elaborately designed program booklet.
with its own graphic designers.
With a seating capacity of up to 1,300 seats and more than three
stages, the Schauspielhaus Zürich is the largest spoken theater in the
Switzerland. Since 2000, an average of approx. 130000
viewers attended the approximately 500 performances of the
Schauspielhaus. The ensemble produces 14 to 16
New productions. There are also revivals, monologues and readings,
Lectures, speeches, guest performances, matinees and more
Special events. Involved in the planning, creation and presentation of the
theater plays, there are almost 240 permanent employees.
employees involved.
Andreas Panzeri
At present, the German journalists' association Netzwerk
Research to save endangered journalism with a media code of conduct.
The rules and regulations read like something from a bygone era: Journalists
work independently, carefully, comprehensively and truthfully and in accordance with
the principle of safety before speed. They guarantee
unrestricted whistleblower protection, do not do PR and expect
the support of media companies. The Code has also already
first media impact: In the best research manner, the
satirical magazine Konkret criticized the integrity of network chairman Thomas
Leif screens.
But what can guidelines for journalists and publishers achieve?
Journalistic reality is subtle: It's about gray areas between
journalism of the quality press and the fast pace of the
Free papers, said Zeit editor-in-chief Giovanni di Lorenzo recently a lot
said. He and the editorial team are therefore committed to the further development of the
Hamburg's quality newspaper.
The editorial team of the Wall Street Journal Europe also ran advertising on
on the front page almost without discussion. And here at home?
Press Council President Peter Studer speaks of worrying tendencies,
denaturalization of the journalistic appearance of the press through
Advertising. However, the chances of a good conduct agreement are
intact. A charter, drawn up by the editors-in-chief, is found at
advertisers and advertising clients. Only the publishers want to
will not decide until June. After the failed CLA negotiations
the publishers' association unilaterally imposes minimum standards. There are
a passage on the relationship between media companies and editorial offices.
We can only hope that the publishers will not content themselves with this.
René Worni, Editor
