Yesterday we blogged about the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's story that criticized the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc.'s social media-based Internet campaign, which it compared to tobacco industry lobbying efforts. The story noted that SPI President and CEO Bill Carteaux "declined to be interviewed," but it quoted a speech that Carteaux gave at NPE2009. For the record, here's a copy of a statement from Carteaux that SPI says it gave to the Milwaukee reporters prior to publication of their story. The statement was not included in their report:
"As you know conversations about plastics are already taking place in print, broadcast and online media as well as in town halls and state legislatures and in online forums and blogs. SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association is committed to developing and maintaining an open and transparent dialogue about the safety of products and their relationship to the economy, the environment and a sustainable future. "Simply put, the goal of SPI's proposed consumer outreach campaign is to join the existing conversation about plastics with key stakeholder audiences -- including millennials, industry employees, policymakers and the media. Since we have not yet started the program, there is little to report at this time."I still question how SPI handled this. The Journal Sentinel has taken a high profile in environmental journalism circles for its coverage of bisphenol A safety. If SPI wants to be a player in the game of public opinion, it needs to step up the effort.