David Yelland and Simon Lewis delve into the challenges faced by the royal family amidst the influence of social media and misinformation. They explore how these issues reflect broader societal changes and the role of storytelling in navigating this landscape. The discussion highlights the evolving nature of public relations, emphasizing emotional engagement and authentic communication. As they look ahead to 2025, they consider the implications of algorithms on public perception and the need for improved personal PR skills.
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Altered Photo
After Princess Kate's surgery, a digitally altered Mother's Day photo caused a PR challenge.
The Princess apologized, but the incident highlighted the dangers of social media's rapid spread of falsehoods.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Authenticity
Address public concerns directly and authentically.
Princess Kate's video about her cancer diagnosis was effective because it felt genuine and personal.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Prince Andrew's Crisis
Prince Andrew's association with an alleged Chinese spy caused a PR crisis.
The palace used traditional media briefings to manage the story, highlighting a 20th-century approach.
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A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI
Yuval Noah Harari
In 'Nexus', Yuval Noah Harari delves into the long-term history of information networks, examining how the flow of information has made and unmade our world. The book takes readers from the Stone Age through significant historical events like the canonization of the Bible, early modern witch-hunts, Stalinism, Nazism, and the resurgence of populism today. Harari discusses the complex relationship between information, truth, bureaucracy, mythology, wisdom, and power, and addresses the urgent choices humanity faces as non-human intelligence threatens our existence. He argues that information networks are the primary driving force shaping human societies and that AI represents a new and critical phase in this history[2][3][5].
David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the use of 'royal sources' in Prince Andrew's China crises and reflect on the big ideas that have shaped our world in 2024. What are the common themes that might help us understand and navigate our increasingly uncertain world a bit better?
They discuss how the Royal Family is the canary in the PR mine when it comes to dealing with the coming era of algorithms that work to channel negativity and disinformation, as well as the consequences of social media algorithms for all of us.
What does this mean for what happens next in 2025? How best to get a clear message out in a polluted ocean of information? In our changing world, the enduring power of storytelling and connection will be needed more than ever.
Producer: Eve Streeter
Assistant Producer: Ella Blaxill
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: William Miller
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4
When It Hits the Fan 