1. Chapter 14: Public Affairs: Relations with Government Introduction to Public Relations Copyright © 2012 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved. McGraw-Hill/Irwin

2. Introduction to Public Relations Public Affairs and Government 14-2 WHAT IS PUBLIC AFFAIRS? Public Affairs is the area of public relations that works within the political arena that affects an organization. It addresses public policy and the publics that affect the public policy (i.e. governments, lobbyists, legislators, regulators, etc.).

3. Introduction to Public Relations Public Affairs and Government 14-3 GOVERNMENTAL ROLES INCLUDE … Stimulant Referee Rule maker Engineer Pursuer of social goals Defender Provider Customer

4. Introduction to Public Relations Public Affairs and Government 14-4 AREAS AFFECTED BY GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITY o Organizations are concerned with government activity in three main areas. Regulating commerce Providing services to various groups Taxing organizations and individuals to support governmental activities

5. Introduction to Public Relations Public Affairs and Government 14-5 UNDERSTANDING THE POLITICAL SYSTEM Governmental roles are shaped by three types of organizations. Electoral Bodies, for example Political Action Committees Legislative Bodies, for example Lobbying Organizations Regulatory Bodies, for example The Environmental Protection Agency

6. Introduction to Public Relations Public Affairs and Government 14-6 LOBBYING FOR INFLUENCE Lobbying – the principal tool of business in communicating with government – is beyond the reach of the average citizen. Governmental agencies are forbidden by law from using funds appropriated by Congress to influence legislation.

7. Introduction to Public Relations Public Affairs and Government 14-7 GRASS ROOTS APPROACH Sometimes organizations influence government in less organized but very effective ways Examples of Grassroots lobbying: Sending messages to legislators and Congress Using social media to campaign the issue

8. Introduction to Public Relations Public Affairs and Government 14-8 REGULATIONS APPLY TO A VARIETY OF ORGANIZATIONS Organizations that are regulated include: Not-for-profits Corporations Industry or professional groups Businesses

9. Introduction to Public Relations Public Affairs and Government 14-9 GOVERNMENTAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS Governmental public relations practitioners are often called Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) or Public Information Officers (PIOs). They can’t be called public relations in the federal government because of the Gillett Amendment of 1913. Because of the 1913 law they tend to be more reactive than proactive. The public is typically suspicious / skeptical of PIOs.

10. Introduction to Public Relations Public Affairs and Government 14-10 GOVERNMENTAL OBJECTIVES - PIOs Support for new laws or initiatives Better-informed electorates Greater use of government services Better communication with officeholders Voluntary compliance with laws or regulations Support for agencies and their programs

11. Introduction to Public Relations Public Affairs and Government 14-11 HOW DO BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENTS COMMUNICATE? o The Government uses several sources to get its message out: Public information officers Information services Libraries The Internet

12. Introduction to Public Relations Public Affairs and Government 14-12 GOVERNMENT USES FOR THE INTERNET To bypass media and go directly to information consumers To communicate with researchers, activists, specialists and journalists To distribute large volumes of information To publicize projects and activities To solicit public comment or support