February 5, 2025
Federal Communicators Face Freeze
The new Trump administration’s efforts to reshape government is having profound impacts on communications across federal agencies. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) employees were instructed to pause all public communications ahead of Trump’s inauguration, raising concerns about transparency and agency operations. The freezing of USAID’s funding has disrupted independent journalism worldwide, halting funding for media organizations in authoritarian states and raising concerns over press freedom.
At the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), critical public health information is vanishing from federal websites, erasing decades of health research and undermining public access to life-saving guidance. The communications blackout started nearly two weeks ago, and while some sites have been restored, it remains unclear if they have been altered.
PR Pros Should Prioritize Authenticity in Age of AI
With the rapid rise of ChatGPT and new chatbot competitors, generative AI is drawing distinctions with PR pros and marketers. A new USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism report reveals more communicators are using AI for content generation, data analysis, audience targeting, and workflow automation.
To compete, communicators should emphasize human-created material, optimize for AI search algorithms, and diversify content distribution across social and traditional channels to maintain engagement and credibility. As AI-generated content floods the internet, communicators must prioritize authenticity, transparency, and strategic storytelling to stand out and maintain credibility.
Some Push Back on Dismantling DEI
Gains in equity and inclusion are facing fierce opposition as federal efforts aim to dismantle diversity initiatives. Shortly after taking office, President Trump moved quickly to eliminate federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs through executive orders, reversing Biden-era initiatives and signaling further rollbacks of anti-discrimination protections and workplace regulations.
Following federal action, professionals in human resources and communications are facing new job fears as corporations roll back diversity programs. Organizations are reassessing their DEI strategies amidst new risks for businesses, nonprofits, and educational institutions. Many pro-equity companies have recognized the advantages of maintaining these programs, as research indicates they boost employee engagement and enhance financial performance.
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