Checks and balances for NGO research
An interesting discussion appeared in the Financial Times on 31 December which many people will have missed due to the date of publication. It suggested that the tactics employed by campaigning NGOs which are directed at large multinationals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and businesslike. The author was Hugh Williamson, the paper’s European News Editor. The FT is a subscription site but the full text can be obtained by contacting CO3.
Our own thoughts on this subject partially concur and partially differ from those articulated in the piece. The article does, in our view, correctly highlight the ability of some organisations to apply digital media to disseminate their thoughts far and wide. This undoubtedly presents a series of reputation and communications challenges to even the most well resourced companies. Our own organisation believes that NGOs have significant roles to play in lots of important areas. However, our own experience has made us question the levels of accountability that the campaigners themselves are subjected to, and the professionalism of some of their research. Much of our time recently has been spent helping clients deal with what are often wildly inaccurate suggestions about their activities. The principal motivation often appears to be to obtain attention for the organisation and the individuals that are making the statements, and sometimes to promote more general anti-corporate political beliefs. In these circumstances it is not unusual for the central campaigning issue to be adversely affected by the NGO’s actions.
Perhaps it is time for the supporters of certain organisations to take a closer look at what they are backing. The introduction of some robust checks and balances, relating to the conduct and accuracy of research, might be a good place to start.
