CBS: Behind the Closed Doors of Washington Lobbyists
- The influence business is the third largest party in DC after government and tourism.
- There are two components to successful lobbying: (1) access and (2) money
- Most lobbyists give campaign contributions - votes would be considered bribery
- Lobbyists and congress tied by the Iron Law of Reciprocity -- "I'll help you if you help me" -- that's perfectly legal and nontransparent
- A study by Public Citizen found that 43% of Members of Congress between 1998-2005 went on as lobbyists
- There needs to be more transparency of this type of industry because there's a lot of behind-the-door actions that occur in order to gain credibility and in essence, votes.
Media Relations Handbook Ch 11: Communication in a Federal Agency
- Federal agencies differ from other public relation forums because they face deeper legalities and issues around the types of information that can and cannot be released
- The difference lies in the bureaucracy -- must develop systems and protocols to ensure you are kept informed even within your own agencies
- Often nonpolitical "Our job is to tell the US taxpayer how their tax dollars are spent" (Fitch, 218).
- The use of websites are crucial to federal agencies: (1) the government has much more information to distribute than most organizations, (2) It's easier and more accessible to the public if they can look up the information online
- Must maintain trust between the public (governed) and the government itself
- FOIA -- Freedom of Information Act: requires agencies to release information to the public except under certain conditions
- 9 exemptions of the FOIA:
1. National Security
2. Internal Agency Rules
3. Information Governed by Other Statutes
4. Business Information
5. Internal Government Memos
6. Private Matters
7. Law Enforcement Investigations
8. Regulation of Financial Institutions
9. Oil Wells
- The government retains discretion on whether to or how to respond to a request
- Civil Service employees vs Political employees
- Civil Service: extensive experience in the fed. government -- PR oriented in the long term goals
- Political: temporary and usually come from campaign backgrounds -- advancement on the head of the agency
The Practice of Government Public Relations
Ch 1: Introduction
- Public information is one of the key aspects to government accountability
- Public service campaigns are ways to influence public behavior in a way that is less expensive than policing
- These communication tools can advance the goals for a democratic society
- "The intent of this book is to help change the perception that government public relations is a tool made up of propaganda used to manipulate public opinion and to develop a better understanding of how proper public communication can lead to more efficient, effective, and accountable public organizations" (Lee, 7)
Ch 2: Government Public Relations: What is it Good for?
- PR can help with: (1) implementing the agency's central mission and (2) fulfilling the democratic responsibilities inherent in the government
- Large focus on the purpose of the public relations within government because it is tied to public administration
- The purpose of the efforts need to be identified before any plan of action can be constructed
1) Media relations
- Public administration differs from business administration because of its governmental context
- Must present itself as a means for the people, not against or in manipulative ways
2) Public Reporting
- Public admin must cooperate with the press and be responsive to the public
3) Responsiveness to the Public as Citizens & Responsiveness to the Public as Customers and Clients
- Principle is openness and listening to the public
4) Public Outreach - Increasing the utilization of services and products
- People must know about your program if you want them to use it
5) Public education and public service campaigns
- Encourage the public to change their behavior -- "Click it or Ticket"
6) Seeking voluntary Public compliance with Laws and Regulations
- Cost-effective approach so they don't face problems in the future
7) Using public as the Eyes and Ears of an agency
- Encouraging public to look out for each other and have a "help me help you" partnership with governmental programs
8) Increasing public support
- Used for campaigns, gain support from the public in (hopefully) a positive matter that's standing up for the people.
- These aspects help to: (1) accomplish democratic responsibilities, (2) implement the central missions of their agencies on a cost-effective and efficient basis and (3) contribute to public support for their agencies
