It really is. I've actually argued with people (multiple times in multiple companies) about the press release containing false information, and they told me "that's just what we do."

What do you think PR is if not making something up to present a positive story? There isn't even a law that says it has to be truthful, so long as you aren't soliciting something. I can make a claim that I developed a working nuclear fusion reactor and put out a press release for it. Anyone with a brain would know it's bullshit but it's still PR. It's completely legal and standard practice.

No offense, but I think you should educate yourself further.

https://www.bu.edu/prlab/2020/04/07/is-pr-inherently-unethic...