Iran: Stop the Stoning

An NBC Evening News story on July 28, 2010 was a story of hope and justice that covered the effects of international pressure and online petitions from around the world on Iran as it bowed to pressure and promised it would not stone a woman to death who was convicted of adultery.

A very sad yet promising story, it showed portrait images of the 43 year-old mother of two interspersed with video clips from 1994 of individuals being partially buried prior to being stoned to death. The tone was very negative towards Iran for allowing stonings to still happen within its borders. Words such as torture and barbaricaccented the visual images, making for a very powerful story.

I believe the story originated from human rights organizations who raised international awareness and pressure to stop the planned stoning. This story and the expected outcome shows some of the power of public relations and the good that it can do. Iran could learn from this and do a lot to improve their image around the world.

I am sure that Iran is not pleased with having to back down to international pressure and my guess is having to do so will instill in them more hatred and they will retaliate against the world through other means that human decency would also despise.
 

BP CEO Tony Hayward to Resign

This Jul 26, 2010 story was a mixture of PR for BP and news broadcasting for NBC. As the tagline says: After facing criticism for his cool, detached style and his many public gaffes, BP CEO Tony Hayward will step down and be offered a job elsewhere in the company, this story was primarily about the way ahead for BP as it planned to announce that the first American will be named to head the iconic, British Petroleum, replacing the current face of the disaster in the Gulf.

The story was presented partially as the new guy coming in from Mississippi being the right guy to fix things, juxtaposed with the current CEO and his off-target demeanor being on his way out and how he is expected to receive a hefty pension package.The story was being told from London, where BP is based.

The tone was mixed; positive when talking about the new CEO and negative when talking about the outgoing CEO, Hayward. Images of the aftermath of the spill were used as well as images of Hayward out yachting instead of focusing on the spill and cleanup.  Positive images and clips of the incoming CEO put a very good spin on things for BP to try to reassure stakeholders and the American public that were dealing with the massive environmental disaster.

I believe the story worked well for BP in turning the tide of public opinion somewhat and to show that change was coming through the departure of the detached CEO seen as responsible for the mess in the Gulf.

 

Hunger Crisis Deepening in East Africa - Jul, 2011

This was a very sad and alarming piece from the NBC Evening News on Jul 24, 2011 about the deepening crisis of hunger and death in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa.

The United Nations estimated at the time that 11 billion people were in danger and that tens of thousands may have already died.  The story was told from a refugee camp in northeast Kenya and showed graves being dug, malnourished children and adults looking for food and water, shabby tents and other hastily built temporary structures, and men with weapons.
 I suspect the story originated from public relations sources with the aim to raise awareness and spark a reaction for help in the desperate situation.  People were dying every day and many who were arriving to the camp were too late and died soon after arrival.  Some arrived and, not finding the necessities for life, moved on to the outskirts hoping to find a place to stay with food and water.

I thought it was an effectively told story and should work to help, although for many it will have been too late.

Some U.S. Troops May Extend Stay in Iraq - July, 2010

This piece on the NBC Evening News in July 2010 detailed the ongoing dilemma faced by the United States in the planned withdrawal of troops from Iraq and communicated that Iraq may request some U.S troops remain behind for security and training.  The tone seemed to be negative and I think the aim of the piece was to make viewers aware of the violence still occurring and the efforts by the U.S. government to try to get Iraq to step up their efforts to be ready to take control of stability operations upon the withdrawal of U.S. troops.  It highlighted recent attacks to illustrate that stability was far from being the norm in Iraq.

Images included recent explosion scene remnants, the U.S Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, speaking in Iraq on the need for Iraq to increase its efforts, and images of U.S. troops conducting operations.

I believe the story itself probably had little impact overall as this issue and debate was something that was in the news fairly regularly at the time.  It may have served to put a limited amount of pressure on the Iraqi government and influence U.S. public opinion.  Overall I think it probably made those believing the U.S. should not pull out too soon even more committed to that point of view, and conversely it probably supported the views of those that feel Iraq should be doing more and that we should have already pulled out.

One Man Makes A Difference in Haiti

A very inspiring story on NBC about the difference one person can make in the world.  Twitter and Blackberry were prominently featured in this story that quickly chronicled his ability to help the people of Haiti and served as good public relations for those companies.  Fantastic testament to what a person can achieve with desire and initiative.  A story with a very positive tone that should certainly inspire others to help in any way they can.

Syria Uprisings

  On April 22, 2011, NBC Evening News ran a news story on Syrian uprisings using images of streets filled with protestors, injured or dead citizens, and protestors demolishing a statue of the regime’s founder the father of the current President of Syria.  Also mentioned were the protestors' use of social media to get the word out and to cry for help.  The tone was one of alarm at the numbers of civilians being killed.  There was no particular strategy, just to make the viewers aware of what is happening in Syria.

Michelle Obama Meets Nelson Mandela

In a public relations piece, NBC covered the June 2011 visit of First Lady Michelle Obama, her daughters and her mother with the South African freedom fighter and former South African president Nelson Mandela, and toured his foundation with his wife. Good public relations piece for President Obama in the U.S. and internationally and good exposure for Nelson Mandela, his new book, his foundation, and his museum, which should increase revenues.

The tone and the images were all very positive and the story ran by NBC should help all parties in their PR efforts.