INTRODUCTION
The issue of Public relations in
government involves the use of appropriate and effective communication
system to produce, project and sustain government’s goals, aspirations,
programmes, activities and policies to reach the ultimate beneficiaries
of the programmes, in most cases, the community. Nwosu (1996, p.204)
says that: Whether military or civilian, government must have the
support and acceptance of the citizenry to be effective and to even
survive for a reasonable period. In theory and in practice, every
government derives its legitimacy or rights to govern from the people or
citizens. In a true democracy, government is voted in by the people to
hold power, influence and control on behalf of the collectivity, of the
masses or citizenry
CHAPTER 1
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Nwosu (1996,p.204) however opines that
very often, many people in government, especially those in developing
countries, seem to forget the relevance of public relations in the
government circle and as a result, they operate as if they can do
without the support and the acceptance of the citizenry. They run state
affairs as rulers or feudal lords, instead of leaders or servants of the
people, for whom they hold political power and trust. But the theory
and practice of modern governance teaches that government, like any
other social institution, must be accountable to the people and operate
in the people’s interest.
Black (1976, p.140) says that public
relations is an essential part of management and this is true in central
government as in industry. The function of public relations in
government is essentially non-political. Public relations in a
government department have two main tasks; to give regular information
on policy, plans and achievements of the departments and to inform and
educate
the public on legislation, regulations
and all matters that affect the daily life of citizens. It must also
advise ministers and senior officials of reaction and potential reaction
to actual or proposed policies.
The research intends to provide an
assessment of public relations strategy as a tool to promote government
policies to the citizenry with a case appraisal of the practice of
anambra state government.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The efficient running and
management of government affairs and activities lies with promoting and
implementing programmes and policies that impact on the citizenry. In
this regard the citizenry fully understand and appreciate the activities
of government thereby enhancing harmony and mutual benefit between
government and the people. However this goal often is far from being
attained as the government implements its policies without the impact
and understanding of the citizenry. Therefore the problem confronting
this research is to provide an assessment of public relation strategy as
a tool to promote government policies to the citizenry with a case
appraisal of the practice of anambra state government
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTION
1 What is public relation, functions and significance?
1 What is the nature of public relation strategy as a tool to promote government policies to the people
2 What is the nature of public relation practice of anambra state government
1.4 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
1 To appraise the nature of public relation, functions and significance
2 To determine the nature of public relation strategy as a tool to promote government policies to the citizenry
3 To determine the public relation practice of anambra state government.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The significance of the study
is to project the importance of creating synergy, understanding and
mutual benefit and impact between the government and the citizenry
1.6 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS
1 Ho The level of public relation practice in anambra state is low
Hi The level of public relation practice in anambra state is high
2 Ho The challenges of public relation practice in anambra state is high
Hi The challenges of public relation practice in anambra state is low
3 Ho The impact of public relation strategy as a tool in promoting government policies in anambra is low
Hi The impact of public relation strategy as a tool in promoting government policies in anambra is high
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The research focuses on the assessment
of public relations strategy as a tool to promote government policies
to the citizenry with a case appraisal of public relations practice in
anambra state.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
PUBLIC RELATION PRACTICE DEFINED
A PR Practitioner is a liaison
between his institution and the publics. He is responsible for setting
public relations policy to represent the corporation or agency to the
publics and for conducting research to provide adequate feedback from
the publics to the institution.
.
PUBLIC RELATION PRACTICE IN GOVERNMENT
. Public relations in government in
brief, is the concerted efforts of the government officials to establish
appropriate and effective communication system that enables
them to produce project and sustain
government’s goals, aspirations, programmes, activities and policies to
reach the ultimate beneficiaries of the programmes, in most cases, the
community.