The figure was most pronounced in Singapore, where 76 per cent of those surveyed regarded their company as being in a vulnerable position with regard to malicious commentary and negative representation in major media. The overall rate of concern for Asia was 74 per cent, compared to 64 per cent in Australia and 67 per cent globally.
However, just eight per cent of participants in the region acknowledged the risk posed by social networking sites, while only 12 per cent expressed concern at the damaging potential of negative online videos. Although low, the figures were higher than the respective global averages of 7 and 8 per cent.
And while critical online postings from employees and observers were considered an issue by 53 per cent of Asian respondents - 12 per cent higher than the global average - reported knowledge of negative commentary was low at 33 per cent.
Tim Sutton (pictured), chairman of Weber Shandwick Asia-Pacfic, described the findings as paradoxical. “People are in denial,” he said, explaining that executives in Asia were more likely to pay attention to criticisms from high-profile news organisations than from individuals on blogs and in forums. “They are not up to speed on the amount of damage the internet can do.”
The report canvassed over 700 executives across 62 global markets.
