Introduction to Public Relations-Politics and Government

Public RelationsPublic RelationsStrategies and TacticsStrategies and Tactics

Eighth EditionEighth Edition ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Dennis L. WilcoxDennis L. WilcoxGlen T. CameronGlen T. Cameron

© 2006 Pearson / Allyn and Bacon© 2006 Pearson / Allyn and BaconNew YorkNew York

Chapter 18Chapter 18

Politics and Politics and GovernmentGovernment

TopicsTopics

Government RelationsGovernment Relations LobbyingLobbying Election CampaignsElection Campaigns Public Affairs in Public Affairs in

GovernmentGovernment

Government RelationsGovernment RelationsCorporate Public AffairsCorporate Public Affairs

Specialized component of corporate communicationsSpecialized component of corporate communications

Practitioners referred to as Practitioners referred to as public affairs specialistspublic affairs specialists

The ReasonThe Reason

The actions of government at the local, state and The actions of government at the local, state and federal level have a major impact on how a business federal level have a major impact on how a business operates.operates.


The JobThe Job

• To gather informationTo gather information

• To disseminate management’s viewsTo disseminate management’s views

• To cooperate with government on projects ofTo cooperate with government on projects ofmutual benefitmutual benefit

• To motivate employees to participate in theTo motivate employees to participate in thepolitical processpolitical process


Gathering InformationGathering Information

Monitor the activities of legislative and regulatory Monitor the activities of legislative and regulatory bodiesbodies..

Why?Why?• To keep track of issues coming up for debate To keep track of issues coming up for debate and and possible votepossible vote• To plan aheadTo plan ahead• To adjust policies To adjust policies • To provide information that may influence theTo provide information that may influence the

nature of government decision makingnature of government decision making


Gathering InformationGathering Information

Monitor the activities of legislative and regulatory Monitor the activities of legislative and regulatory bodiesbodies..

How?How?• Trade associations that represent particularTrade associations that represent particular

industriesindustries• Frequent trips to Washington D.C. and/or stateFrequent trips to Washington D.C. and/or state

capitalscapitals• Company offices located in Washington D.C.Company offices located in Washington D.C.

and/or state capitals and/or state capitals


Disseminating management’s viewsDisseminating management’s views

How?How?

• Informal office visits to a government officialInformal office visits to a government official

• Testimony at a public hearingTestimony at a public hearing

• Giving speeches and/or writing speechesGiving speeches and/or writing speeches

• Writing letters and op-head articles, preparingWriting letters and op-head articles, preparingposition papersposition papers

• Producing newsletters and placing advocacy Producing newsletters and placing advocacy adsads

On The On The JobJob insightsinsights

Skills Needed for Work in Public AffairsSkills Needed for Work in Public Affairs Know how public relations and public Know how public relations and public affairsaffairs

supports the business goalssupports the business goals

Be able to distinguish which opponents Be able to distinguish which opponents

are credibleare credible

Be able to integrate all communications Be able to integrate all communications

functionsfunctions


Skills Needed for Work in Public AffairsSkills Needed for Work in Public Affairs Understand how to control key Understand how to control key

messagesmessages

Be able to influence without being too Be able to influence without being too

partisanpartisan

Be able to synthesize, filter and Be able to synthesize, filter and

validate informationvalidate information


Skills Needed for Work in Public AffairsSkills Needed for Work in Public Affairs Be Web-savvy and understand information Be Web-savvy and understand information

technologytechnology

Have a global perspectiveHave a global perspective

Be able to sustain strong personal Be able to sustain strong personal

relationshipsrelationships

LobbyingLobbying

The use of persuasion tactics to attempt to influence The use of persuasion tactics to attempt to influence legislation or government decisionslegislation or government decisions

A lobbyist directs his or her energies to the defeat, A lobbyist directs his or her energies to the defeat, passage, or amendment of proposed legislation and passage, or amendment of proposed legislation and regulatory agency policiesregulatory agency policies

LobbyingLobbying

The Nature of LobbyingThe Nature of Lobbying

Businesses and a variety of special interests Businesses and a variety of special interests engage in lobbyingengage in lobbying

Competing lobbying efforts often cancel each other Competing lobbying efforts often cancel each other outout

Competing lobbying efforts help legislators make Competing lobbying efforts help legislators make informed legislative decisionsinformed legislative decisions

LobbyingLobbying

The Nature of LobbyingThe Nature of Lobbying

The top five lobbying groups are:The top five lobbying groups are:

AARP (American Association of Retired AARP (American Association of Retired Persons)Persons)

The American Israel Public Affairs The American Israel Public Affairs CommitteeCommittee

The National Federation of Independent The National Federation of Independent BusinessBusiness

The NRA (National Rifle Association)The NRA (National Rifle Association) The AFL-CIOThe AFL-CIO


Lobbyists Get into Food FightLobbyists Get into Food Fight The U.S. government’s food pyramid is The U.S. government’s food pyramid is the subject of the subject of much lobbyingmuch lobbying

The food pyramid tells the general public The food pyramid tells the general public whatwhat

foods should be in a healthy dietfoods should be in a healthy diet

Changes in the food pyramid can swing Changes in the food pyramid can swing food food

companies’ sales by millions of dollarscompanies’ sales by millions of dollars


Lobbyists Get into Food FightLobbyists Get into Food Fight Low-carbohydrate diets have Low-carbohydrate diets have impacted the food impacted the food industryindustry

The U.S. Potato Board is lobbying to The U.S. Potato Board is lobbying to stay in the food stay in the food pyramidpyramid

The baked-goods industry is also The baked-goods industry is also defending itself defending itself against the emphasis on against the emphasis on whole-grain productswhole-grain products

Meanwhile, the National Dairy Council Meanwhile, the National Dairy Council is lobbying is lobbying to increase the recommended to increase the recommended servings of dairy servings of dairy productsproducts

LobbyingLobbying

The Problem of Influence PeddlingThe Problem of Influence Peddling

What is it?What is it?

The lobbying efforts of former legislators and The lobbying efforts of former legislators and Government officials who capitalize on their Government officials who capitalize on their connections and charge large fees.connections and charge large fees.

““It’s not what you know, but who you know.”It’s not what you know, but who you know.”

LobbyingLobbying

The Problem of Influence PeddlingThe Problem of Influence Peddling

The Ethics in GovernmentThe Ethics in Government Act forbids Act forbids government officials from actively lobbying their government officials from actively lobbying their former agencies for one year after leaving office.former agencies for one year after leaving office.

Members of Congress can become lobbyists Members of Congress can become lobbyists immediatelyimmediately

Deep public suspicion exists that results from Deep public suspicion exists that results from conflicts of interest inherent in influence peddlingconflicts of interest inherent in influence peddling


Advocates Outgunned in Lobbying ShowdownAdvocates Outgunned in Lobbying Showdown Gun control advocates lobbied for the Gun control advocates lobbied for the renewal of the renewal of the federal ban on the federal ban on the manufacture and import ofmanufacture and import of

semiautomatic assault weaponssemiautomatic assault weapons

Polls showed two-thirds of Americans Polls showed two-thirds of Americans supported the supported the banban

Four former U.S. Presidents, both Four former U.S. Presidents, both Democrat andDemocrat and

Republican, supported the lawRepublican, supported the law

Provocative full page ads were placed Provocative full page ads were placed in major daily in major daily newspapers to pressure newspapers to pressure President Bush to supportPresident Bush to support

the banthe ban


Advocates Outgunned in Lobbying ShowdownAdvocates Outgunned in Lobbying Showdown The NRA did not support The NRA did not support renewing the banrenewing the ban

The NRA’s lobbying power is The NRA’s lobbying power is backed by 4backed by 4

million membersmillion members

Despite presidential support, Despite presidential support, Congress never Congress never brought the bill to a brought the bill to a votevote

The ban on semiautomatic The ban on semiautomatic assault weapons assault weapons expiredexpired

LobbyingLobbying

A Lobbying Reform BillA Lobbying Reform Bill

Lobbying reform bill signed into law in 1995Lobbying reform bill signed into law in 1995

A lobbyist is defined as A lobbyist is defined as

““Someone hired to influence lawmakers, Someone hired to influence lawmakers, government officials or their aides, and who government officials or their aides, and who spend at least 20 percent of his or her time spend at least 20 percent of his or her time representing any client in a six-month period.”representing any client in a six-month period.”

LobbyingLobbying


Lobbyists are required to:Lobbyists are required to: Register with Congress Register with Congress Disclose their clientsDisclose their clients Disclose the issue areas in which lobbying is Disclose the issue areas in which lobbying is

being donebeing done Disclose roughly how much is being paid for it.Disclose roughly how much is being paid for it.

LobbyingLobbying


Lobbyist-paid lavish lunches and drawn out Lobbyist-paid lavish lunches and drawn out dinners are forbiddendinners are forbidden

Lobbyists are not allowed to buy meals for Lobbyists are not allowed to buy meals for lawmakers unless there are at least 25 other lawmakers unless there are at least 25 other attendeesattendees

Senators, their aides and other Senate officers are Senators, their aides and other Senate officers are prohibited from accepting gifts worth more than prohibited from accepting gifts worth more than $50 and from accepting privately paid travel to $50 and from accepting privately paid travel to “recreational events.”“recreational events.”

Grassroots lobbying is exempted from this billGrassroots lobbying is exempted from this bill

LobbyingLobbying

Grassroots LobbyingGrassroots Lobbying


An effort to get individuals and groups with no An effort to get individuals and groups with no

financial interest in an issue to speak on a financial interest in an issue to speak on a

sponsor’s behalfsponsor’s behalf

Letters and phone calls from private citizens are Letters and phone calls from private citizens are more influential than arguments from vested more influential than arguments from vested interestsinterests

Involves coalition buildingInvolves coalition building

LobbyingLobbying


Tools used to generate phone calls and letters from Tools used to generate phone calls and letters from the public the public

Advocacy advertisingAdvocacy advertising

Toll-free phone linesToll-free phone lines

Bulk faxingBulk faxing

Web sitesWeb sites

Computerized direct mailComputerized direct mail

LobbyingLobbying


An $800 million industryAn $800 million industry

Virtually no rules or regulationsVirtually no rules or regulations

Orchestrated public feedbackOrchestrated public feedback

““Stealth lobbying” or “Astroturf” campaignsStealth lobbying” or “Astroturf” campaignsoccur when grassroots lobbying is done under the occur when grassroots lobbying is done under the cover of front groups without disclosing what cover of front groups without disclosing what vested interests are behind a campaignvested interests are behind a campaign


Guidelines for Grassroots LobbyingGuidelines for Grassroots Lobbying Target the effortTarget the effort

Go after “persuadables”Go after “persuadables”

Build coalitions on economic Build coalitions on economic self-interestself-interest

Think politicallyThink politically


Guidelines for Grassroots LobbyingGuidelines for Grassroots Lobbying Letters are bestLetters are best

Make it easyMake it easy

Arrange Arrange meetingsmeetings

Avoid stealth Avoid stealth tacticstactics

Election CampaignsElection Campaigns

An army of fund-raisers, political strategists, An army of fund-raisers, political strategists,

speechwriters, and communications consultants are speechwriters, and communications consultants are

mobilized to help candidates win electionsmobilized to help candidates win elections

American-style campaigning is the most American-style campaigning is the most expensive in the worldexpensive in the world

Fund-raising is virtually a full-time, year-Fund-raising is virtually a full-time, year-round jobround job

The 2004 U.S. elections saw $4 billion spent The 2004 U.S. elections saw $4 billion spent on campaignson campaigns


Duties of professional fund-raisers include:Duties of professional fund-raisers include:

Recruit lobbyists to hawk ticketsRecruit lobbyists to hawk tickets Decide whom to inviteDecide whom to invite Design and mail invitationsDesign and mail invitations Employ people to make follow-up callsEmploy people to make follow-up calls Rent the roomRent the room Hire the catererHire the caterer Make name tagsMake name tags Tell the candidate who came and who didn’tTell the candidate who came and who didn’t Hound attendees to make good on their pledgesHound attendees to make good on their pledges


Other fund-raising support includes:Other fund-raising support includes:

Consultants who specialize in direct mail and Consultants who specialize in direct mail and telemarketingtelemarketing

Firms who handle mass mailingsFirms who handle mass mailings

The Internet, which is used for research and to The Internet, which is used for research and to reach supporters using e-mail, web-based reach supporters using e-mail, web-based messaging, blogs, social media websites, etc. messaging, blogs, social media websites, etc.


Getting Nominated in the U.S.A. is Getting Nominated in the U.S.A. is an Expensive Propositionan Expensive Proposition The 2004 Republican National Convention in The 2004 Republican National Convention in

New York CityNew York Citycost more than $154 million to stagecost more than $154 million to stage

Limousine services: $301,460Limousine services: $301,460

Stage where Bush gave his acceptance Stage where Bush gave his acceptance speech: $281,000speech: $281,000

The fund-raising firm: $1.4 millionThe fund-raising firm: $1.4 million

Madison Square Garden remodel: $11 Madison Square Garden remodel: $11 millionmillion

Broadway play tickets: $750,000Broadway play tickets: $750,000


Campaign Finance ReformCampaign Finance Reform

McCain-Feingold Act of 2002 set limits on McCain-Feingold Act of 2002 set limits on campaign contributionscampaign contributions Soft Money: Soft Money:

National parties prohibited from accepting National parties prohibited from accepting large, unlimited contributions from large, unlimited contributions from corporations, unions and individualscorporations, unions and individuals

State and local party committees can accept State and local party committees can accept up to $10,000 from individuals for get-out-the-up to $10,000 from individuals for get-out-the-vote and voter registration efforts in federal vote and voter registration efforts in federal electionselections



McCain-Feingold Act of 2002 set limits on McCain-Feingold Act of 2002 set limits on campaign contributionscampaign contributions Hard Money: Hard Money:

Individuals can give a total of $95,000 in each Individuals can give a total of $95,000 in each two-year election cycle to all federal candidates, two-year election cycle to all federal candidates, political parties and political action committees political parties and political action committees combinedcombined

That includes maximum contributions of $2,000 That includes maximum contributions of $2,000 per election directly to a candidate and $25,000 per election directly to a candidate and $25,000 to a political party per yearto a political party per year



McCain-Feingold Act of 2002 set limits on campaign McCain-Feingold Act of 2002 set limits on campaign ContributionsContributions Issue Advertising: Issue Advertising:

Advertising in support of a specific candidate Advertising in support of a specific candidate must be paid for only with regulated hard must be paid for only with regulated hard moneymoney

Ads that fall into this category cannot be Ads that fall into this category cannot be broadcast within 30 days of a primary or 60 broadcast within 30 days of a primary or 60 days of a general electiondays of a general election



McCain-Feingold Act of 2002 was partially McCain-Feingold Act of 2002 was partially

overturned as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled parts of it overturned as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled parts of it

are unconstitutional in its January 2010 decision.are unconstitutional in its January 2010 decision.

Specifically, the court’s decision makes Specifically, the court’s decision makes

unconstitutional the ban on issue advertising within 30 unconstitutional the ban on issue advertising within 30

days of a primary or 60 days of a general election.days of a primary or 60 days of a general election.


527s Become a Major Issue527s Become a Major Issue


Non-profit, independent partisan organizations that Non-profit, independent partisan organizations that

exist under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Codeexist under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code

They are allowed to retain nonprofit status while They are allowed to retain nonprofit status while

running partisan ads as long as they are not directly running partisan ads as long as they are not directly

coordinated with the national political parties or coordinated with the national political parties or

candidates they supportcandidates they support



Soft money restricted by the McCain-Feingold Act Soft money restricted by the McCain-Feingold Act migrated to 527 organizationsmigrated to 527 organizations

Third-party partisan groups spent about $400 Third-party partisan groups spent about $400 million in the 2004 presidential campaignmillion in the 2004 presidential campaign

The Democratic Party was the first to benefit from The Democratic Party was the first to benefit from a 527 groupa 527 group

MoveOn.org is a liberal online group formed MoveOn.org is a liberal online group formed during the Clinton administration that raised during the Clinton administration that raised money and support for President Clinton’s money and support for President Clinton’s defense when he was impeached.defense when he was impeached.



America Coming Together (ACT), Media Fund America Coming Together (ACT), Media Fund and Real Voices were pro-Democratic groups that and Real Voices were pro-Democratic groups that launched attack campaigns on President Bush’s launched attack campaigns on President Bush’s policies.policies.

ACT raised $24 million in one quarter for its ACT raised $24 million in one quarter for its activities activities

Media Fund raised and spent more than $45 Media Fund raised and spent more than $45 million on its attack adsmillion on its attack ads



Swift Boat Veterans for Truth raised $15 million Swift Boat Veterans for Truth raised $15 million for attack ads against 2004 presidential for attack ads against 2004 presidential candidate John Kerrycandidate John Kerry

The Progress for America Voter Fund spent The Progress for America Voter Fund spent about $30 million on attack ads against Kerryabout $30 million on attack ads against Kerry

Another pro-Republican group was the Club for Another pro-Republican group was the Club for GrowthGrowth

Public Affairs in GovernmentPublic Affairs in Government

The objectives of government information:The objectives of government information:

Communicate to the public the work of government Communicate to the public the work of government agenciesagencies

Explain agency programs so that citizens Explain agency programs so that citizens understand themunderstand them

Provide feedback to government administrators to Provide feedback to government administrators to improve programs and policiesimprove programs and policies


The objectives of government information:The objectives of government information:

Advise management how best to communicate a Advise management how best to communicate a decision or a program decision or a program

Serve as ombudsmanServe as ombudsman

Educate administrators and bureaucrats about the Educate administrators and bureaucrats about the role of the mass media and how to work with media role of the mass media and how to work with media representativesrepresentatives


““Public Information” versus “Public Relations”Public Information” versus “Public Relations”

It is illegal to use appropriated money for the It is illegal to use appropriated money for the employment of “publicity experts”employment of “publicity experts”

Public Information reflects the need to inform the Public Information reflects the need to inform the public without promoting any particular positionpublic without promoting any particular position


““Public Information” versus “Public Relations”Public Information” versus “Public Relations”

The most common titles:The most common titles:

Public Information OfficerPublic Information Officer

Director of Public AffairsDirector of Public Affairs

Press SecretaryPress Secretary

Administrative AideAdministrative Aide

Government Program AnalystGovernment Program Analyst

On The On The JobJob globalglobal

Danish Post Office Races to a New ImageDanish Post Office Races to a New Image After 350 years Royal Danish Mail was After 350 years Royal Danish Mail was

privatized and privatized and became Post Denmark.became Post Denmark.

Post Denmark sponsored a Round Post Denmark sponsored a Round Denmark bicycleDenmark bicycle

race to publicize its new identity and race to publicize its new identity and new logonew logo

On The On The JobJob globalglobal

Danish Post Office Races to a New ImageDanish Post Office Races to a New Image The race covered 860 km through The race covered 860 km through

30 cities30 cities

Sixteen teams from 14 countries Sixteen teams from 14 countries competedcompeted

Over 1 million spectators Over 1 million spectators watched along the watched along the roadsidesroadsides

About 77 percent of the population About 77 percent of the population saw or read saw or read about the raceabout the race

All 1,254 Post Denmark offices All 1,254 Post Denmark offices conducted conducted

special promotionsspecial promotions


Scope of Federal Government InformationScope of Federal Government Information

The U.S. government is one of the world’s greatest The U.S. government is one of the world’s greatest disseminators of informationdisseminators of information

The General Accounting Office estimated that $2.3 The General Accounting Office estimated that $2.3 billion was spent each year by the governement on billion was spent each year by the governement on “public relations” activity“public relations” activity

Critics of government public relations estimate that Critics of government public relations estimate that between 10,000 and 12,000 thousand federal between 10,000 and 12,000 thousand federal employees are involved in what might be called employees are involved in what might be called “public relations” work“public relations” work



Government AgenciesGovernment Agencies

The U.S. Department of Defense operates one The U.S. Department of Defense operates one of the largest public affairs operations in the of the largest public affairs operations in the federal governmentfederal government

Federal agencies also conduct campaigns Federal agencies also conduct campaigns through public relations firms through a bidding through public relations firms through a bidding processprocess



Congressional EffortsCongressional Efforts

All members of Congress employ a press All members of Congress employ a press secretarysecretary

Congressional members regularly produce news Congressional members regularly produce news releases, newsletters, recordings, brochures, releases, newsletters, recordings, brochures, taped radio interviews and videotapes to inform taped radio interviews and videotapes to inform voters back homevoters back home

Critics complain that most materials are self-Critics complain that most materials are self-promotional and have little valuepromotional and have little value



White House EffortsWhite House Efforts

The president receives the most media attentionThe president receives the most media attention

Presidents use this attention to implement public Presidents use this attention to implement public relations strategies using their own relations strategies using their own communication stylecommunication style

White House staff includes experts in White House staff includes experts in communications strategy, media relations, communications strategy, media relations, speech writing, and event staging speech writing, and event staging


State Information ServicesState Information Services

Every state provides public information services Every state provides public information services

States provide information to the public and the States provide information to the public and the press about the policies, programs and activities press about the policies, programs and activities of the various state agenciesof the various state agencies

State agencies conduct a variety of public State agencies conduct a variety of public information and education campaigns, often information and education campaigns, often partnering with public relations firmspartnering with public relations firms


City Information ServicesCity Information Services

Information specialists disseminate news and Information specialists disseminate news and information from numerous municipal information from numerous municipal departments departments

Cities promote themselves to attract new Cities promote themselves to attract new businessbusiness

Cities promote themselves to increase tourismCities promote themselves to increase tourism


Criticism of Government Information EffortsCriticism of Government Information Efforts

Taxpayer groups believe information and public Taxpayer groups believe information and public affairs officers are costly and unnecessary affairs officers are costly and unnecessary

Critics question tax dollars being used to promote Critics question tax dollars being used to promote governmentgovernment

Others, including journalists, criticize public Others, including journalists, criticize public information activities because of the amount of information activities because of the amount of useless material they receiveuseless material they receive


Criticism of Government Information EffortsCriticism of Government Information Efforts

Public information efforts help the news media Public information efforts help the news media do their jobdo their job

Public information efforts help address inquiries Public information efforts help address inquiries efficientlyefficiently

Public information efforts help create Public information efforts help create awareness among the public and various issuesawareness among the public and various issues

PR PR CASEBOOCASEBOOKKPentagon Gets Flak in the War on TerrorismPentagon Gets Flak in the War on Terrorism Pentagon public affairs officers (PAOs) Pentagon public affairs officers (PAOs)

must balance must balance their commitment to their commitment to providing access and information providing access and information with the with the security and safety of troops in combatsecurity and safety of troops in combat

Journalists were banned from covering Journalists were banned from covering the unloading of the unloading of flag-draped coffins from flag-draped coffins from cargo planescargo planes

• Critics saw this as an attempt to mask the Critics saw this as an attempt to mask the truthtruth

• The Pentagon saw this as necessary to The Pentagon saw this as necessary to avoid helping the terrorists erode America’s avoid helping the terrorists erode America’s commitment to liberate Iraqcommitment to liberate Iraq

PR PR CASEBOOCASEBOOKKPentagon Gets Flak in the War on TerrorismPentagon Gets Flak in the War on Terrorism The Pentagon stonewalled the The Pentagon stonewalled the

release of photos release of photos showing abuse by the showing abuse by the U.S. against Iraqis at Abu U.S. against Iraqis at Abu Ghraib Ghraib prisonprison

• The Pentagon argued that the photos The Pentagon argued that the photos would violate privacy and undermine would violate privacy and undermine later prosecutionslater prosecutions

• The Pentagon also argued that the The Pentagon also argued that the photos would put U.S. soldiers at riskphotos would put U.S. soldiers at risk

PR PR CASEBOOCASEBOOKKPentagon Gets Flak in the War on TerrorismPentagon Gets Flak in the War on Terrorism Public Relations experts in crisis Public Relations experts in crisis

management agreed that the photos management agreed that the photos should have been released all at onceshould have been released all at once

• One big media story is better than One big media story is better than having to deal with multiple stories having to deal with multiple stories that dribble out over an extended that dribble out over an extended period of timeperiod of time

• Get the information out as soon as Get the information out as soon as possible and immediately tell the possible and immediately tell the public what corrective action is being public what corrective action is being takentaken

PR PR CASEBOOCASEBOOKKPentagon Gets Flak in the War on TerrorismPentagon Gets Flak in the War on Terrorism Gannett News Service exposed a Gannett News Service exposed a

choreographed letter-writing campaign choreographed letter-writing campaign by an Army commander in Iraqby an Army commander in Iraq

• Army officials defended the campaign Army officials defended the campaign as an opportunity to communicate as an opportunity to communicate good Army stories to the pressgood Army stories to the press

• After receiving widespread criticism After receiving widespread criticism the Pentagon put a stop to this the Pentagon put a stop to this practicepractice

On The On The JobJob ethicsethics

Payments to Commentator Raise Ethical ConcernsPayments to Commentator Raise Ethical Concerns Conservative commentator, Conservative commentator, Armstrong Williams, Armstrong Williams,

was paid $240,000 by Ketchum on was paid $240,000 by Ketchum on behalf of the behalf of the

government to promote the No Child government to promote the No Child Left Behind ActLeft Behind Act

Armstrong failed to publicly disclose Armstrong failed to publicly disclose this fact to his this fact to his audience when audience when providing news commentary on the providing news commentary on the No Child Left Behind Act No Child Left Behind Act

On The On The JobJob ethicsethics

Fake News or Information?Fake News or Information? Video news releases (VNRs) by Video news releases (VNRs) by government agencies government agencies criticized as “fake criticized as “fake news”news”

The government uses VNRs to disseminate The government uses VNRs to disseminate information information about government activitiesabout government activities

Government and public relations executives Government and public relations executives say that say that VNRs clearly identify the sourceVNRs clearly identify the source

News media present VNRs to the public News media present VNRs to the public audience audience

without attributing such sourceswithout attributing such sources

Introduction to Public Relations-Politics and Government

Education

Transcript of Introduction to Public Relations-Politics and Government