This Saturday, May 3, 2025, marks World Press Freedom Day, a timely moment to reflect not just on the role of the press in democracy, but its essential function in business, especially in industries that thrive on credibility, compliance, and trust.
Before founding my communications firm five years ago, I spent more than two decades directing global communications for some of the world’s largest manufacturers. My work extended beyond media relations to include managing crisis response, corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability communications, executive communications, government affairs, internal communications and more. That breadth of experience continually reinforced one truth:
A free, independent press is essential, not just to society, but to smart business.
At my firm, we provide corporate and marketing communications for leaders across the industrial spectrum –advanced manufacturing, chemicals and materials, building products and construction, auto parts and transportation, and more. We encourage selective engagement, but also emphasize the importance of working with journalists, trade media, podcasters, and analysts who operate with integrity. The platforms may have changed, but the fundamentals haven’t.
Today, manufacturing and industrial leaders are working to communicate more commitments than ever – complex sustainability goals, automation and AI investments, labor challenges, reshoring strategies, and community impact. These messages don’t just need visibility, they need credibility. And that doesn’t come from company-owned and controlled marketing channels alone. It comes from third-party, independent, ethical journalism.
In moments of scrutiny – product recalls, regulatory scrutiny, environmental incidents – the press remains one of the most powerful tools for transparency and public trust. Shutting out media outlets because you disagree with their coverage is short-sighted. Keeping the door open and continuing the dialogue, even when it’s uncomfortable, is a mark of maturity and strategic thinking.
World Press Freedom Day reminds us that the willingness to communicate openly, especially under pressure, is what separates leaders from operators.
Organizations that embrace openness, even under pressure, build stronger reputations and more resilient brands. That’s why we proudly support the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP) – a nonprofit offering legal protection and advocacy for journalists doing critical, truth-telling work. In today’s environment of misinformation and polarization, their mission is more vital than ever.
If you believe in clear communication, informed decision-making, and a functioning marketplace, you must also believe in a free press.
In divided times, this isn’t about sides – it’s about results. The best reputations aren’t just managed; they’re built through transparency and earned trust. And that starts by engaging a free and protected press.
#WorldPressFreedomDay #PressFreedom #ReputationIsEarned
#manufacturing #logistics #engineering #supplychain #materialhandling #packaging #sustainability #fabrication
Paul Oakley, Founder & CEO of Nashville-based Tiny Mighty Communications, has 25 years of experience leading PR, public affairs, sustainability, and communications for global brands.
Tiny Mighty is a fast-growing authority in corporate and marketing communications, trusted by top global brands. The agency specializes in B2B, focusing on engineered, regulated, and distributed sectors like automotive, building and construction, advanced manufacturing, and materials. The team blends firsthand industry experiences with data-driven strategies to deliver results. Core products and services include reputation management, internal communications, media relations, digital marketing, sustainability reporting, and helping industrial brands thrive by engaging those who matter most.