Pissed off publicist – For a world where understanding media matters

Journalism vs. PR

They’re not the same thing.

Different Jobs. Different Goals.

Here’s why that matters ⬇️

Learn the Difference

The Confusion

PR and media myths keep floating around. It’s time to kill them.

Myth #1

“PR people spin stories and cover up scandals.”

Myth #2

“Journalists just copy press releases & pass them off as news.”

Myth #3

“It’s all fake news anyway.”

Journalism

Truth-Seeking

Journalist’s job:

Find stories, investigate facts, ask important questions and tell the public what’s happening.

What they do:

Research and verify information

Ask tough questions

Report facts to inform the public

Work for pennies (seriously, support local journalism)

Bottom Line

Journalists work for the public, not for companies.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Reputation-Building

A public relations agent’s job:

Identify stories, gather and share facts, ask important questions and tell the public what’s happening, often with media’s help (aka earned media).

What they do

Craft clear, honest messages

Prepare for crises before they happen, respond when they happen

Build relationships with media

Share accurate information with journalists

Bottom Line

They inform, educate and entertain on behalf of clients.

GET IT STRAIGHT

Who pays them?

News organizations, readers pay media.

Whom do they serve?

The public.

What’s their goal?

Tell the truth.

Can you trust them?

Do your homework. Trust professionals who’ve earned respect across professions.

Do journalists and PR agents work together?

Yes.

Who pays them?

Companies, organizations.

Whom do they serve?

Their clients.

What’s their goal?

Make clients look good.

Can you trust them?

Yes, when you engage with credible PR agents.

Do PR agents and journalists work together?

Yes.

Reality Check

The problem is when people don’t understand how journalism works. Media illiteracy is a crisis we can’t afford to ignore.

We need each other.
Journalists need stories. Public relations agents and publicists need coverage. The public needs both.
It’s not evil, it’s how information flows.

Journalism vs. PR

They’re not the same thing.

Different Jobs. Different Goals.

Here’s why that matters ⬇️

The Confusion

PR and media myths keep floating around. It’s time to kill them.

Myth #1

Myth #2

Myth #3

Journalism

Truth-Seeking

Journalist’s job:

Find stories, investigate facts, ask important questions and tell the public what’s happening.

What they do:

Bottom Line

Journalists work for the public, not for companies.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Reputation-Building

A public relations agent’s job:

Identify stories, gather and share facts, ask important questions and tell the public what’s happening, often with media’s help (aka earned media).

What they do

Bottom Line

They inform, educate and entertain on behalf of clients.

GET IT STRAIGHT

The differences matter⬇️

Reality Check

The problem is when people don’t understand how journalism works. Media illiteracy is a crisis we can’t afford to ignore.

We need each other.
Journalists need stories. Public relations agents and publicists need coverage. The public needs both.
It’s not evil, it’s how information flows.

Different jobs. Different purposes.
Spread the word.

© 2025 Pissed off publicist . All rights reserved. Website designed and developed by SiteSculptors.

Journalism vs. PR

They’re not the same thing.

Different Jobs. Different Goals.

Here’s why that matters ⬇️

The Confusion

PR and media myths keep floating around. It’s time to kill them.

Myth #1

Myth #2

Myth #3

Journalism

Truth-Seeking

Journalist’s job:

Find stories, investigate facts, ask important questions and tell the public what’s happening.

What they do:

Bottom Line

Journalists work for the public, not for companies.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Reputation-Building

A public relations agent’s job:

Identify stories, gather and share facts, ask important questions and tell the public what’s happening, often with media’s help (aka earned media).

What they do

Bottom Line

They inform, educate and entertain on behalf of clients.

GET IT STRAIGHT

The differences matter⬇️

Reality Check

The problem is when people don’t understand how journalism works. Media illiteracy is a crisis we can’t afford to ignore.

We need each other.Journalists need stories. Public relations agents and publicists need coverage. The public needs both.It’s not evil, it’s how information flows.

Different jobs. Different purposes.Spread the word.

We need each other.
Journalists need stories. Public relations agents and publicists need coverage. The public needs both.
It’s not evil, it’s how information flows.

Different jobs. Different purposes.
Spread the word.