✅ Is it possible to communicate on DEI issues without compromise?
Corporate communications, public relations, media and management insight
Communication on issues related to diversity and inclusivity (DEI) is one of the most challenging contemporary issues for corporate and internal communications teams.
Organisations increasingly find themselves at the centre of polarising social and political issues and are called on to take a stand. This situation is acute in international organisations because of the range of stakeholder issues, including anti-DEI lawsuits, social media campaigns, shareholder activism and Presidential executive orders in the US.
Societal issues ranging from immigration to gun control and geopolitical issues such as the Russian-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine conflict land on the desk of the corporate communications or public relations team. The European Communication Monitor (ECM) recorded polarisation as the function’s top three issues for 2025.
The authors of a recent paper in Harvard Business Review recommend a paradoxical strategy of "avoiding talking too much" versus "talking too little".
"Talking too much," involves carefully reviewing communications to prevent language that could suggest illegal preferential treatment (the authors call this the "three Ps" - preference, protected group, palpable benefit), since anti-DEI activists actively monitor corporate communications for potential violations.
"Talking too little," emphasises that organisations can and should continue discussing DEI principles such as removing barriers and fostering inclusion, using appropriate language that focuses on fairness and opportunity rather than guaranteed outcomes or rigid quotas.
As I say, this is one of the most challenging contemporary corporate and internal communications issues.
Have a good week ahead.
Industry
⚖️ LICENCE TO OPERATE: The Delaware Chancery Court's expansion of fiduciary duty, AI's impact on marketing transparency and rising shareholder lawsuits are making credentialing important for the future of public relations practice. Mark Strouse advocates for mandatory certification, emphasising the need for practitioners to develop business and risk mitigation capabilities. Source PRWeek.
🔎 RESEARCH FUND: The CIPR has opened applications for its 2025 Research Fund, offering grants of up to £2,000 to members at any career stage to conduct research advancing practice. Four projects funded in 2024 are set to be published throughout 2025, including studies on the mid-career talent drain of women, strategic internal communications in SMEs, ageism and factors influencing next-generation career choices. Source: CIPR.
Management
🌱 EMOTION MATTERS: Energy transition backlash stems largely from emotional barriers, including distrust, fear of identity loss, and uncertainty about personal costs. These concerns are rarely addressed effectively in current engagement strategies. The key to overcoming resistance is meaningful collaboration between those leading the transision and impacted communities. Source: Just Stories.
🛡️ MEDIA LITERACY DEFENCE: A new Pears Foundation report highlights the urgent need to combat conspiracy theories in schools through enhanced media literacy education. The report echoes similar recommendations recently made by the Electoral Commission to Parliament and calls for comprehensive reform, including teacher training, curriculum integration starting from the primary level and a community-wide approach to conspiracy theory awareness. Source: Pears Foundation.
Artificial information
⚠️ AI BLINDSPOT: A new study reports that the narrow focus of AI tools in public relations on productivity gains centres on media and communications activities while overlooking the relational perspective of practice. It also overlooks the professional advisory opportunity. As AI tools become integrated and embedded in professional and management work, we must emphasise training in media literacy and critical thinking and apply ethical and governance frameworks. Source: Wadds Inc.
⏯️ AI MEDIATION: Analysis by Hard Numbers reveals that Large Language Models (LLMs) are becoming gatekeepers of brand visibility and reputation. Brands that secure prominent positions in AI-generated responses, referred to as Share of Model, may gain a significant market advantage as LLMs evolve from mere tools to touchpoints in the digital customer journey. Source: Brilliant Noise and Hard Numbers.
🎯 GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE: The UK Government has released a comprehensive AI Playbook to guide civil servants in the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence across public services. The document covers essential principles, foundational knowledge, practical guidance on building AI solutions, safety and governance considerations and includes public sector case studies. Source: HM Government.
Thank you to Drew Benvie, Slavina Dimitrova, Jon Gerlis, Tricia Fox, Antony Mayfield, Alan Morrison, Darryl Sparey, Mark Strouse, Sarah Waddington and everyone who shares and debates the stories in the newsletter via our Facebook and LinkedIn communities.
Socially Mobile, the management school for underserved public relations practitioners of which I’m a founder and director, secured funding in 2024 from the CIPR Research Fund. The community interest company will publish its study on the female talent drain in public relations practice in March.