CHAPTER 18
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Let’s Discuss
Public Relations in Government
Why are Americans losing interest in
our political system?

Lack of
candor
 Booming
economy
 Boring
campaigns
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QUICK QUIZ
What did the Gillette Amendment
do?
1913 Gillette Amendment
“Appropriated funds may not be used to
pay a publicity expert unless specifically
appropriated for the purpose.”
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QUICK QUIZ
What did the GAG LAW do?
Prohibited “using any part of an
appropriation for services, messages, or
publication designed to influence any
member of Congress in his attitude
toward legislation or appropriation.”
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QUICK QUIZ
Government workers may
hold jobs practicing public
relations.
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The U.S. Air Force
Office of Public Affairs
Activities include:
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
Hollywood liaison

Sports marketing

Children’s Web site
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Let’s Discuss
Government Practitioners
The U.S. Office of Personnel
Management reports nearly 15,000 public
relations-related jobs
The National Association of Government
Communicators estimates that 40,000
professionals work as government
communicators
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The U.S. Department of State’s
public affairs staff handles:

Press briefings

Maintaining the Secretary of State’s
Homepage

Foreign press centers in Washington,
D.C.

Public diplomacy operations abroad
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United States Information Agency
Radio
Films & Television
Libraries & Books
Media
Education
Publications
Exhibitions
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Electronic Information
Satellite Television
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United States Information Agency

Build the intellectual and institutional
foundations of democracy worldwide
 Support the “War on Drugs” in producer and
consumer countries
 Develop worldwide information programs to
address environmental problems

Bring accurate reports to any society that
fails to exercise free, open communication
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Let’s Discuss
Government Agencies
FTC
Federal Trade Commission
FDA
Food & Drug Administration
HHS
Department of Health &
Human Services
DOD
Department of Defense
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QUICK QUIZ
What were the seven principles
that President Reagan followed
when managing his news?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Plan ahead
Stay on the offensive
Control the flow of information
Limit reporters’ access to the President
Talk about the issues the President wants to
talk about
Speak in one voice
Repeat the same message many times
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QUICK QUIZ
How did President Bush’s
communication style differ from
President Clinton’s?
Bush wasn’t nearly as successful
a communicator as Clinton,
whose easy-going style and
intelligence made him a media
favorite.
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QUICK QUIZ
Who is the President’s chief public
relations spokesperson?
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Let’s Discuss
The Press Secretary’s Role

Communicates the President’s policies and
practices to the public

Deals with the press corps:

Speaks up to the President
as a representative of the
press

Speaks out for the
President to the press
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Functions of Lobbyists
Improve
Communications
Monitor Agencies
And Congress
Encourage Voter
Participation
Influence
Legislature
Tell Congress
of Constituents’
Activities
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Let’s Discuss
The 1996 Lobbying Disclosure Act

Broadened the activities that constitute
“lobbying”

Mandated government registration of
lobbyists
 Prohibited lobbyists from paying for
meals for congressional members or
their aids
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What do lobbyists do?

Find facts and research issues

Interpret government actions

Interpret company actions

Advocate positions

Serve as publicity springboard

Support company sales
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What’s New?

Internet lobbying

Web sites

Fund raising
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What are…
olitical
ction
ommittees
Groups that represent business interests, labor
unions, corporations, non-profit organizations,
and many other interest groups
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One Lobbyist’s “Be” List
Be
Independent
Be
Informed
Be
Bi-Partisan
Be
Published
Be
Broad-Minded
Be
Persistent
Be
Practical
Be
HONEST
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Let’s Discuss
Dealing with Local Governments
CITY
COUNTY
STATE
REGIONAL

Build consensus among diverse constituents

Practice grass-roots public relations

Deal with individuals
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