PR regulation

The favoured worst case scenario is again raising its ugly head in the form of regulation of the PR industry. The FT ran an item this morning on an FSA investigation into 4 mergers this year to see if there was any signs of insider trading. Two of the obvious characteristics of today’s deals are their increasing value and the number of people involved. Keeping share-sensitive information confidential is imperative and as Mark Shipman a professional investor said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Wake up to Money this morning, the regulation of parties involved including the PR element could become a reality.

Self-regulation has been seen by many as the best model for the sector and if there is any sign of impropriety involving a PR firm then would this not be most suitably dealt with via the CIPR’s new found teeth?