PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTICESBY SHAMBHU SHARAN AND SHEILA BISHOPMABORN SCHOOL OF JOURNALISMUNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXASFALL 2011

In India

Background Located in Southern Asia Surrounded by the Arabian Sea and Bay of

Bengal Between Burma and Pakistan One-third the size of U.S.A. Population: 1,189,172,906 Ranks second in the world’s most

countries Growth rate 1.41%

Background

Capital: New Delhi Major Cities:

Mumbai Kolkata Chennai Bangalore

Gained Independence in 1947 80.5% Hindus, 13.4% Muslims, 1.9% Sikh and

1.9% others.

Cultural Orientation Hindi is the national language English is a link language There are 44 different languages in

India Sanskrit is an ancient language that is

still used by Hindus religious practices and educational institutions

Government

Legal system is based off of the British model

Parliamentary democracy Separate law codes are provided for

Muslims, Christians, and Hindus Indian currency: Rupee One rupee is equal to $0.20 USD

Public Relations with Government

PIB (Public Information Bureau) disseminates information through Press releases Press notes Feature articles Backgrounders Press briefings Photographs Press conferences Interviews Press tours

Officers assist Ministries and Departments in distributing information Dispute with Kashmir

Practices in India

Use interpersonal communication to develop personal influence with key groups were key individuals, particularly in the

media, the government, and among activists used hospitality relations (giving gifts, hosting

dinners and cocktails) and media junkets to humor relevant publics from whom they could later claim return favors

uses media kits, releases, advisories and pitch letters that are sent to editors and news directors via fax, e-mail or mail depending on personal preferences

television and newspapers are the most popular mass media for providing information

Practices in India

Television currently the third largest cable TV

viewing nation in the world Newspapers

8400 newspaper companies Public relations professional makes sure

that the message is translated into every language and that it fits every culture

Public Relations Responsibilities

Communicator between the public and the government by translating material into different languages to target all markets

Past Worked for the government arranging travel,

boarding executives, taking care of hospitality arrangements and handling media relations

Now Valuable asset to marketing campaigns and

increasing global communication with other international companies

Public Relations Responsibilities

So popular that many multinational companies are vying to build their offices in India

Professional skills India-specific messaging Region-specific messaging Communicating commitment to India Leveraging industry bodies and partners

PR Differences in U.S. and India

U.S.A. Created the Code of Ethics Drafted in 1950 PR professionals must adhere to this Believes the profession of public

relations should be seen as a management position

No equity in gender roles in public relations

Target market attracts

PR Differences in U.S. and India

India Adopted most of the public relations

practices from the western culture code of ethics does not exist licensed profession gender equity Men and Women are paid the same salary socially, culturally, politically, economically,

religiously and ethnically diverse

Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H

CAXnXTMFOY

Coverage of Terrorist Attacks

Mixed reviews on journalist’s reporting some believed the coverage was not factual

and lacked knowledge citizens that opposed the media coverage

used social media sites to voice their opinions images used for media coverage are too

graphic and anger certain Indian groups since the media does not abide by ethics

many journalists face many concerns on what is appropriate for coverage

ANY QUESTIONS?

Thank You!