A Hollow Enterprise: International Criminal Justice and Public Relations

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Abstract

Utilising a framework inspired by Edward Bernays, this article critiques public relations in international criminal justice. The article demonstrates public relations is a hollow enterprise comprised of one-way publicity and legitimation. Outreach and public information campaigns are endeavours reliant on standard messaging tactics that treat constituencies as uncritical and homogenous consumers. Such tactics reflect a deep and entrenched turn to marketing and image-management. Whilst such a turn may be inevitable, tribunals such as International Criminal Court need to establish meaningful relations with the public, developed through listening and a commitment to mutual co-learning that, in turn, can drive organisational improvements. In its absence, public relations is a mere exercise in presentation and will continue to lack significance in the contemporary information landscape
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)159-186
Number of pages28
JournalInternational Criminal Law Review
Volume24
Issue number2
Early online date8 Dec 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2024

Keywords

  • International Criminal Court
  • communication
  • outreach
  • persuasion
  • public information
  • public relations

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