No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (MTech (Public Relations Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / Main objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the dual perceptions of a selected group of public relations practitioners and journalists, who interact at Media24 (the print media business section of Naspers, a leading multinational media group) in CapeTown. These perceptions, by public relations practitioners and journalists, are of self and each other's professional objectives, skills and ability, function, and their relationships. The research aims to determine whether it is possible, through perception definition of each category from two points of view (perception of self and perception of other), to find sufficient common grounds first to understand and then to optimise the relationship between public relations practitioners and journalists. Research design and methodology An accidental quota, non-random sample of 15 (fifteen) journalists and 15 (fifteen) public relations practitioners was selected based on their interaction at Media24 in CapeTown. A single self administered questionnaire distributed to the combined sample group was used to gather data. The results obtained from the questionnaire were analysed in three parts; a) the combined group of journalists and public relations practitioners; b) public relations practitioners only and c) journalists only. Analysis, conclusions and recommendations included a comparison of the differences and similarities between the two groups. Keyfindings Keyfindings include: The majority of public relations practitioners interacting with Media24 on a corporate communication level do not belong to a professional body. The majority of public relations practitioners interacting with Media24 on a corporate communication level lacked clarity in defining their own professional objectives and functional role. The self-perception of the majority of public relations practitioners interacting with Media 24 on a corporate communication level was less positive than the perceptions of the journalists of public relations practitioners.

Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGEMENT in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / This study investigates ethical communication practice in the professional practice of Public Relations in South Africa. Using Public Relations professional bodies (PRISA and IABC) and Public Relations firms based in Cape Town, the study sought to understand how ethical communication is conceptualised and practised by public relations practitioners. Literature reveals that ethical communication in Public Relations has been shaped by two dominant views. The early, simplistic paradigm conceptualised ethical communication as dialogic and symmterical communication. It views ethical communication as counter-argument. This paradigm has been critiqued in favour of a more contemporary paradigm that regards ethical communication in terms of dialogic values such as honesty, openness, loyalty, fair-mindedness, respect, integrity and forthright communication. Using dialogic, symmetrical communication and a reflective paradigm of public relations as its theoretical framework, this study analyses how Public Relations practitioners and professional bodies conceptualise ethical communication. Results from the study reveal that ethical communication as a phenomenon is still subject to various interpretations. The study reveals that fostering ethical communication by professional bodies is often hampered by the existence of untrained Public Relations personnel. This study seeks to make a theoretical contribution towards the understanding of ethical communication amongst Public Relations and professional bodies. It shows that there is need for Public Relations professionals to develop a more holistic understanding of ethical communication in order to raise the quality of Public Relations practitioners’ ethical behaviour and increase the legitimacy and value of public relations studies to society.

Thesis (MTech (Public Relations Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / This research reports on the findings from a study that explores how the principles of corporate communication strategies outlined in public relations theory align to public relations practice. Using the theoretical framework of strategic public relations within corporate communication strategies, this qualitative research seeks to understand what theoretical principles inform corporate communication strategies and how public relations practitioners develop and implement these strategies. The findings suggest that public relations practitioners have a more practical approach than a theoretical approach to public relations practice. This study identifies the importance of increasing the credibility of the discipline as public relations practitioners are able to constantly improve and adjust their strategies according to what works and what does not. Measurement and evaluation in application of corporate communication strategies increases research in public relations practice which will in due course influence public relations theory. Further study is recommended in increasing the knowledge of public relations practitioners regarding the theory of communication strategies which will assist in improving the status of public relations and the perceived value of the profession.

Ph.D. (Communication Studies) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

In the last decades of the twentieth century, women have advanced into the business world, not only as employees but as managers, corporate officers, board directors and CEO’s. Many political, environmental and structural changes have made this possible. Yet even with these numerous changes, women are still battling to push themselves through the pipeline and into top management positions. Furthermore, if women do reach the higher rungs of the corporate ladder, they are more likely to receive less professional recognition than their male counterparts. Statistics show that this phenomenon is also occurring in the field of public relations around the globe. According to a study conducted by O’Neil (2003:168), female practitioners have significantly less formal structural power (employee support, organisational roles, hierarchical position and gender ratios of work groups) than male practitioners. As a result, many academics believe that the glass ceiling in public relations still exists and that the feminisation of the field is increasing this disparity. Public relations is still a relatively new discipline in South Africa and although there have been an increasing number of research studies specifically focusing on South African public relations practice, there is virtually no studies focusing on the contribution and position of female practitioners in the field. This study, therefore, investigates the professional recognition of female public relations practitioners in South Africa. This was achieved by meeting the main objectives namely, to gather data on the factors that influence the professional recognition of female public relations practitioners in South African organisations as well as South African public relations practice. Originally, the study aimed at being a replication of an American research project by Toth and Cline called ‘Public relations Practitioner Attitudes Toward Gender Issues: A Benchmark Study. Unfortunately, the survey instrument was not available due to the deteriorating health of Dr. Cline over the last seven years, and since this study is largely exploratory in nature, it became a pilot study. The methodology used for this study was triangulation, a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, and the research instrument was a questionnaire. Once the data was collected from respondents, the findings were contrasted against the findings of similar studies in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries. The key findings of this study shows that female public relations practitioners in South Africa appear to be more positive about the recognition they receive than their U.S and U.K counterparts. A majority of respondents believe that female public relations practitioners are equal to their male counterparts in terms of status, power and respect. Yet, there are strong indications that the glass ceiling does exist in South African public relations. One such indication is a low salary average. Another is that gender discrimination seems to be pervasive throughout the field, especially in the case of sexual harassment and gender stereotypes. Female practitioners still have to battle the stereotypes of mother, sex object and iron maiden. Corporate culture and structure also continues to pose a barrier to the advancement of female practitioners in the form of out-dated company policies regarding programs such as part-time and flexi-time work options, job-sharing and telecommuting. Balancing family and work responsibilities continues to hinder female practitioners although they are said to be more efficient than their male counterparts at the balancing act. The most surprising data finding of the study, however, was that practitioners believe that a lack of mentorship is not a barrier to the advancement of female practitioners. Mentorship plays an important role in the promotion process, and Lahtinen and Wilson (1994) go as far to say that mentors could be key to the advancement of women. It is clear that a majority of practitioners are obviously unaware of its importance. This study will not only contribute to the body of knowledge about public relations practitioners in general but will also provide great insight into the position of female practitioners and the issues they face in public relations practice and in South African organisations. As there are so few research studies on this topic, it will help encourage and create a foundation for other such studies that will hopefully investigate deeper into the topic. It was also important to the value of the study that it was not created in a vacuum and that it could be contrasted against statistics in other countries providing a more meaningful, global perspective. This has allowed correlations and comparisons to be made which has presented some expected similarities as well as some marked differences. However, the true value of the study lies in creating a much needed awareness of how far female practitioners have come and how far they still need to go in terms of receiving professional recognition in their field. / Professor Sonja Verwey

This study examines political PR in Systembolaget's film-commercials. This study aims at investigating how and when Systembolaget expresses their public service mission in their film-commercials. We have done this by means of a qualitative content analysis, with the help from semiotics connotation and denotation the study was able to extract messages from the film-commercials. As Systembolaget is a non-profit-driven organisation we became curious to see that they act on the commercial market. We analyse the commercials through different PR perspectives aimed at identifying messages. The result shows that only some of the messages correspond with Systembolaget's public service mission. Preventing alcohol dealing, selling responsibly and informing the risks of alcohol, are the messages that are consistent with Systembolaget's public service mission. The result also shows that Systembolaget partly compromises from its public service mission.

No description available.