Mr. Harry Browne:

Flak, of course, does not have to come from a PR person and can come directly from an organisation or individual that feels aggrieved or potentially aggrieved by a particular line of questioning or story. PR does the flak for a person and it is part of the job. When an organisation employs a PR person, it is not just to produce press releases, organise briefings or take journalists to lunch where necessary. It is also in the expectation that where there is negative coverage or potential for negative coverage, the PR person will work to fend it off, minimise it or block it if possible. This might entail telling an editor it is not a good idea. An issue I have experienced personally and which Deputy Clare Daly has raised in the Dáil relates to the BBC World Service doing a short item about U2's tax affairs and the perception of that in Ireland. I have written a book about one of the members.