Thursday, April 27, 2023

Ghostwriting for Project Communications



So, you work in project communications, perhaps directly for the PM. 
Great job, and it can be a lot of fun being creative.

In the 'old days', that probably meant long-form press releases and updates to the project web page or communications dashboard.

Today, it's those plus social media; scripts and plans for podcasts and videos; and other duties as assigned (ODAS)

And even more so today, it may mean consulting or incorporating some regenerative AI artifact ... text, video, art, image ... in your creation for which you may have been the creative "prompter"

But, if you're a ghost writer (or creator) for the 'boss', who gets the credit? Do you have a byline as a contributor? And, does the boss get the credit for imaginative and effective writing or production when it's really you? And (gasp!) does the AI thing get some of the byline or creative credit, even if you're the prompter? 

Welcome to the world of ghost writing. 
The person you're writing for gets the credit, usually, and you're lucky if you're recognized outside your PMO. You probably knew all that coming into the job. Why else is it called 'ghost' writing?
 
But what if you disagree in some fundamental way with the content of the communication you've been asked to write or produce? What then?

Two cases:
  1. Opinion: It's not your opinion you're opining. You can write 'B' for the public, but believe 'A' privately.
  2. False facts: If not about 'beliefs' but rather about misleading or even factually incorrect material, you have an obligation to push back. Indeed, you could put yourself in legal peril for liability or defamation. 

Life is too short

If you can't live with the material you're writing, then don't. Find new material; and find a way to persuade the boss to let you use it.

And if all that doesn't work, you may have to fire the boss! (Aka: get a new job)




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