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Public Relations and Propaganda

   

Added on  2020-03-16

7 Pages1460 Words273 Views
Running head: PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PROPAGANDA 1PUBLC RELATIONS AND PROPAGANDAStudent NameInstitution

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PROPAGANDA 2Public Relations and PropagandaThere are different angles taken by scholars in defining public relations over the years. Notably, all the scholars are in agreement that public relations are a communication and management tool used in creating and managing the sustainable relationship between organizations and their internal and external publics. Arguably, the progress of any organization largely depends on the strategies used in managing both its internal and external publics. This strategy tool is normally systematic with specific goals to achieve within the organization and utilizes media platforms in its dissemination. The strength and success of an organization lie within its public relations. Public relationsis as old as the civilization of human beings. This is the process by which organizations and individuals change human perception and opinions through perception(Taylor, 2013). In the Holy Scriptures, for instance, the art of public relations is recorded by the Babylonians through messages on stone tablets aimed at improving their agricultural production. However, the opening of the first PR firm came to see the light of the day in the 20th century with Edward Bernays accorded the credit as the father of public relationsOn the other hand, propaganda refers to a communication strategy that greatly appeals to the emotions in order to create particular perceptions and worldviewsof the target audience with an intention of achieving particular objectives. Propaganda was widely used as a major weapon during the Cold War to advance the capitalist and communist ideas across the world(McCormick, 1995). Propaganda is not factual but is told with great styles that the consumers take them as the gospel truth. Arguably, it is in this regard that the German leader during the

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PROPAGANDA 3period of World War II and the beginning of Cold War, Adolf Hitler has been regarded as the greatest propagandist of all times. Both public relations and propaganda use similar media to reach their target audience. Since these strategies are meant for the consumption by the mass audience, media platforms e.g. radio, television, journals, newspapers, and magazines have always been used to disseminate public relations and propaganda contents to their respective target audiences.Just like public relations, propaganda is systematic. These communication strategies havea particular plan and layout to execute. The effectiveness of both propaganda and public relationsdepends on the system of its production and dissemination(McCormick, 1995). It takes time and resources to systematically produce and relay propaganda and PR content that would appeal to the emotions, intellectual and cognitions of the target audience.From the ancient times to the contemporary world today, propaganda and public relationshave been part of the daily lives. Political leaders use propaganda to beat their opponents in elections. Most of the institutions like schools and hospitals continue to use public relations strategies to attract more clients for greater profits.Even though the final intent of propaganda and public relations differ, both are communication strategies used by different organizations or individuals to advance their agenda(Woodside, 2016). Both involve creation and generation of specific content to the mass audience geared towards creating perceptions, tastes and brand loyalty.Both public relations and propaganda are processes of the mind. Propaganda and public relations are meant to create perceptions and cognitive changes in the minds of the audience. It isin this regard that the messages of propaganda and PR are normally disseminated repeatedly

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