Any good activist knows that untangling the corporate web is no easy task.
In this issue of the Observer, we take an initial look into the world of corporate public relations. The European PR industry is a relatively new phenomenon. National level public relations companies and public affairs divisions of TNCs have of course been around for many years, but the Brussels PR apparatus has developed parallel to the emergence of corporate lobby groups in Europe over the past decade. Consequently, whereas North American and Australian activists are tuned into the role played by the PR industry in sustaining corporate rule, little effort has until now been directed towards the exposure of the European PR apparatus. Yet all three of the aforementioned publications provide ample argument for European campaigners on democracy, environmental, political and social issues to incorporate the role of the public relations industry their analysis.