11th Annual USC Survey Finds “Quiet Shift” in Public Relations as Polarisation Reshapes Corporate Speech

IT Brief Australia reports on USC Annenberg’s 2026 Global Communication Report, supported by Meltwater and the International Association of Business Communicators, which finds polarisation is making companies more cautious in how they communicate. The article highlights a shift away from broad purpose-led messaging toward more selective, evidence-led engagement, with PR teams playing a more central role in helping organisations assess when to speak, when to stay silent and how to protect trust in a divided environment.

“Data has become central to that role, providing real-time insight into public sentiment, risk and where brands should engage.” - John Box, CEO, Meltwater

https://itbrief.com.au/story/companies-grow-quieter-as-polarisation-reshapes-pr