The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) and the Investors Relations Society (IRS) have launched a Media Spamming Charter to enhance professional standards.

Backed by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), the guidelines are a response to the ‘Inconvenient PR Truth’ campaign which illustrated how inappropriate PR content can harm individuals and organisations.

Subsequently, CIPR, PRCA and the IRS held a roundtable, attended by the NUJ, media bloggers and other working professionals.

The charter has been designed as a reference point for practitioners who work with journalists and bloggers and is a statement of best practice rather than an addition to existing codes of conduct.

The directives in the Charter indicate that time should be invested into researching the editorial scope and interests of journalists and bloggers prior to approaching them, ensuring content is relevant. Misleading and non-targeted emails can be damaging and potentially result in companies being blocked.

Adam Parker, spokesman for the Inconvenient PR Truth Campaign said:  “With the PR and media communities both under constant pressure to produce results, it’s great to see the four professional bodies coming together to try and find ways to assist them to work more effectively.”