Poor communication
What politicians refer to as public relations exercises these days borders uncomfortably on advertising aimed at mass consumption or, simply, pure propaganda. Mainstream political parties and governments bank a great deal on their spin doctors. The ever more sophisticated promotional tools and the growing clout of the media in influencing public opinion have also played their part. Spinmeisters now have the power to promote all types of products, good and bad. They do not hesitate to employ various techniques to misinform or bamboozle the public. However, what is also known here as «communication» is not a sinister tool per se. In fact, it can be used as a means of informing the public about a party’s views and concerns, its policies and actions that affect everyday life. The conservative government is seriously lacking in this last respect. The defect is evident to friend and foe alike. Recent history speaks for itself. Each time the government has announced a decision, the opposition and pro-opposition media have rushed to paint it in the grimmest colors. The conservatives are left either speechless or embarrassed, using accurate yet weak and artless formulations to fend off the criticism. PASOK and its business cronies, who have been at loggerheads with the conservatives ever since the 2004 general election, have every reason to be happy with New Democracy’s awkward style. Faced with the fire coming from the dubious alliance between PASOK and various business interests, the government has displayed a tendency to communicate poorly. The prime minister, reports say, has made some decisions in light of recent developments; his reaction should be expected anytime soon.
