Journalists and public relations practitioners : different role perspectives

Abstract

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.