Chapter
14
Politics
and Government
Government
Relations: major component of corporate public affairs, esp. in highly
regulated industries
Functions
Gather
information
Disseminate
management's views
Cooperate
with government on projects
Motivate
employees to participate in political process
LOBBYING
A
government relations specialty. $1.42 billion spent in 1998
Effort
directed to influence legislation/regulation
Lobbyists
are registered, but many others participate.
The
1995 Lobbying Reform Bill defines
a lobbyist as someone hired to influence lawmakers, government officials
or their aids, and who spends at least 20 percent of his or her time representing
any client in a six-month period.
Grassroots
Lobbyingno rules or regulations. Use of advocacy advertising, toll-free
phone lines, bulk faxing, mass e-mails.
Misuse under the cover of front
groups could be unethical.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OBJECTIVES IN GOVERNMENT
Inform
public about people's business
Improve
agency effectiveness
Provide
feedback to administrators
Advise
management how to communicate
Serves
as ombudsman
Educate
administrators about mass media
SOME
LOCATIONS FOR GOVERNMENT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Government
agencies
Congressional
efforts
White
House efforts
State,
City information services
Public
Information VS Public Relations
Contradictory fact: Government needs to inform
its citizens but the law (the 1913 Gillette Amendment) prohibits the government
to use taxpayer money to persuade American public or to hire publicity
experts. Thus the titles of the practitioners are public information officer,
public affairs officer/director, press secretary, BUT NEVER public relations
officer.