Why do businesses, and especially some big multi national businesses believe that they can control the flow of information about themselves? I studied public relations at a South African institution many years ago and the first thing we were taught was to involve the stakeholders in the communications process. Share information, we were told, and the public and interested and affected parties, would at least be fair in their response to you the business.

This is even more relevant when it comes to crisis communications. We were also taught that the messaging must be truthful and honest, and most importantly timeous. And #BP aren't the only ones guilty of deliberately attempting to manage th news flow about their organisation.

The principles are even more appropriate now as the lines of communication have multiplied in the last two decades. The advent of SMS and social media platforms has meant that businesses need to respond faster; and not attempt to slow the news flow down. Perhaps #BP believes that because their current crisis really originates underwater they can turn back the clock and try to muzzle the media? Well, here's a news flash #BP: by attempting to refuse access to the media you are keeping the current crisis on the front pages of international media platforms.

You would think that the advisers that they have brought on board would know this. After all these are the best that money can buy - aren't they? This highlights another issue. Despite the best intentions of the PR professionals they are paid by the business that has employed them. They have to do what they are told. On the other hand the PR people have a choice. They could insist that their advice is followed and if this doesn't happen then they should resign the account. That is the right thing to do. The problem is that the PR business is a business and they have their own reputation to manage.

Or do they?  Are they <the PR people> doing more damage to their reputation by being linked to an organisation that appears to be hiding or at least delaying the truth from consumers, the public and other stakeholders? A word of advise to the PR people. If you are being paid the big bucks; then insist that your advise is followed. Your future potential client base will be more inclined to give you business if you operate ethically. That is, of course if the potential clients are ethical.

This raises another issue PR people are sometimes too quick to take on new clients without doing a thorough due diligence. Yes people due diligence. A bit of research will go a long way in determining if you <pr people> want to be associated with a particular brand. The old days of spin are gone.