What PR Pros need to know about Free Speech and Social Media

Apr 27, 2017 | Past Events

What PR Pros need to know about Free Speech and Social Media.

What rights do employers and employees have when communicating in the social media era? How can PR professionals help to best position their organizations when a controversy goes viral? In this presentation by Michel O’Brien, you will learn about the legal boundaries that protect employee and employer speech with particular focus on the internet to include:

  • Steps you can take now to protect your organization during future negative social media or publicity.
  • Different speech rights of public and private sector employees.
  • Current legal landscape regarding employee speech.

Michael O’Brien has been a licensed Alaska attorney since 2003.  He is an associate general counsel at the University of Alaska system where he works on labor and employment, Title IX, NCAA, and other issues. He also owns Daatsoo Enterprises LLC, a consulting firm that works with organizations on strategy, employment issues, and finance. He is the vice president of the Fairbanks Northstar Borough School District, where he served as head of the Policy Review Committee during its re-write of employee social media policies. He has most recently received training in crisis management at the Harvard Kennedy School and also has a MA from St. John’s College and a MS and JD from Vermont Law School.

Registration Details:

Registration closes FOUR business days before event. Luncheons are non-refundable after registration closes.

In order to honor our commitment with the venue, the PRSA Alaska Chapter will close registration for all Anchorage programs at noon, two business days prior to each professional development session. This will ensure your seat and meal at the session.

If you purchase luncheon tickets and are unable to attend, we suggest you offer your ticket to a colleague or student. If you would like the chapter to open the seats to others, please email Brooke Taylor. Once registration closes, all ticket sales are final.

At-the-door sales will only be accepted if space is available at the start of the meeting. If seats are not available, walk-ins may purchase a late registration ticket to the event and receive coffee service.

New pricing structure:
At PRSA Alaska, we often hear how valuable the local professional development opportunities are for professionals. We think so too! These opportunities, usually in the form of luncheons held each month, are a great way to improve your skills and network with peers in a similar profession. While PR professionals don’t always love math and budgets, we do know that our revenue must meet our expenses. So, beginning this month, there will be a modest price increase for all professional development opportunities in Anchorage and Fairbanks. As always, members will still receive a discounted rate. Non-members will pay a slightly higher rate. If you’re not a member and want to become one, learn more on our website.

Event Details

Price before May 16:

  • $34 PRSA members
  • $44 Non-Members

At the door tickets:

  • $38 PRSA Members
  • $48 Non-Members

Date: Thursday, May 18, 2017
Time: Noon to 1 p.m. (Doors open at 11:30 a.m.)
Location: Westmark Fairbanks Hotel & Conference Center