Campaign Collective has welcomed moves by the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) to expel any members working with sanctioned Russian organisations.
The industry association for communications firms and professionals has also urged members to consider the reputational consequences of working for companies which whilst not sanctioned, nonetheless have links with the Russian Government.
In a statement, the PRCA said:
The Russian Government’s actions in Ukraine are an appalling attack on humanity and the PRCA stands firmly beside Ukraine and the defence of its sovereignty.
Simon Francis, Campaign Collective Founder Member, added:
No PR or comms agency or professional can have any excuse for supporting those behind the war and the atrocities committed by Russia in Ukraine.
If you work in PR and comms and your boss asks you to work on any activity that promotes the Russian warmongers, their apologists or leaders, you must refuse.
PRCA Director-General, Francis Ingham, commented:
We can be under no illusion; Russia is now a pariah state. Our members cannot – under any circumstances – support organisations that are on the sanctions list. They should also reflect on the consequences for their own reputations of working with other organisations and individuals linked to the Russian Government. PRCA members around the world uphold standards and principles which are incompatible with the current activities of the Kremlin.
All industries have a moral obligation to cut ties with the Russian Government. But the weight of that responsibility falls heavily on PR and communications. The Russian Government has waged an information war on Ukraine and our industry has a duty to fight the disinformation emanating from the Kremlin.
Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and many of our Russian colleagues who wholeheartedly oppose the reprehensible actions of their government.
Campaign Collective Members currently support the work of WorldSkills Europe, which was due to host its next competition in St Petersburg in 2023. In a statement, the organisers have now stripped Russia of the competition and World Skills International has suspended both Russia and Belarus from membership and competing in international events.
To help charities in Ukraine (and neighbouring countries helping with the refugee crisis), Campaign Collective has pledged to provide publicity for the work these organisations are doing and their fundraising activities through The Rooftop News.
If any charities want their work in Ukraine featured on The Rooftop in the coming days and weeks, please email information to editor@therooftop.news or use your social media accounts to contact the editorial team:
