Professional institute to tackle ‘planning misinformation’ after survey found a quarter of planners faced online abuse

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has selected a communications agency to help it “battle misinformation around planning” following concerns over increasing online abuse suffered by staff.

The appointment of Grayling, a PR and public affairs agency, follows a request to tender for the account by the RTPI and bids by 17 agencies.  

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It follows the results of a survey by the RTPI, which found 87% of planners feel social media is fuelling misinformation around local planning issues.

The survey also revealed that planners are becoming the targets of online trolls as a result of this misinformation, with a quarter saying they suffered abuse. The RTPI said it had seen a worrying increase in planners being negatively impacted – and in some cases personally targeted – as a result of online planning misinformation.

Simon Creer, director of communications at the RTPI, said: “We were really pleased that so many agencies wanted to work on this vital campaign to support our members and champion the work of planners across the UK.”

“We selected Grayling as they presented a unique perspective, knowledge of the planning system and the challenges our members face, a strong creative drive rooted in strategy and a brand team to activate the campaign cross-channel.”

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>>See also: Social media fuelling planning misinformation, says RTPI

The campaign to combat misinformation both online and in person around the role of planners will launch on World Town Planning Day, 8th November 2023. 

In March, the survey of over 900 planners found nearly a quarter of planners had either “regularly” or “occasionally” been targeted through social media with insults, harassment or threats. A further 20% said they had experienced these things “rarely”. 

Two fifths of planning staff said that social media was impacting upon their well-being, with anecdotal reports to the survey of decision to leave the public sector or delete social media accounts.

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