Special edition of PRism: Exploring power and public relations

Editors

James Mahoney, Senior Lecturer, Public Relations, Convenor, Master of Strategic Communication, University of Canberra

Dr Marianne Sison, Deputy Dean (International), School of Media and Communication, RMIT University

Dr Joyleen Chia, Public Relations Academic Director, School of Communication, University of South Australia

Call for papers

Many view public relations as a “powerful” profession, one that has a privileged role in setting communication agendas, and solving problems, in business, sport, culture, and politics. So the public relations practitioner stereotype is one who wields power, holds “secrets” that help businesses survive in troubled economic times, assists celebrities work their way out of their personal crisis, and coaches people such as Rupert Murdoch and his son James to negotiate their way through Parliamentary committee hearings.

Practitioners, or at least that variety known as media advisers and ‘spin doctors’, are often characterised as wizards possessed of potent magic to “manage the media” and thus to control the 24/7 news cycle.

Some scholars debate the power relationships inherent in the theoretical models we use to explain how the business works and why it works. Others seek to explain the role of public relations in democratic societies, especially the ethical issues associated with transparency, dialogue and consultation within political arena.

Scholars agree that “power” is part of public relations practice. For some, power is an underlying theme, perhaps the core goal, of public relations. For others, the power of modernist or capitalist public relations is problematic, especially within the emerging global context (Pal & Dutta, 2008; Munshi & Kurian, 2005).

So, what is “power” in the context of public relations practice?

In his critical reflection on power and public relations, Berger (2005) called for “a fuller, more illuminating account of power relations” in public relations theory, and for public relations practitioners and scholars to be “more astute political players and engaged activists.”

Contributors to this special edition of PRism are invited to critically explore the theme “Power and Public Relations.” The editors are especially interested in research that examines and theorises public relations that goes beyond its application in the interests of society’s so-called power elite. In addition, how are power and public relations interpreted within various global, cultural and political contexts? And how does public relations advance the cause of marginalised publics?

These themes might be explored through, but need not be limited to, the following possible topics:

• What is the nature of power in public relations? How is it exercised? Is it transparent or covert?
• Is there a difference between “power” and “influence”?
• Who exercises power in public relations? Where? How? Who legitimises that power?
• Is public discourse a consequence of the power of public relations?
• For whom is the power of public relations exercised? Against whom? Can the power of public relations be accessed by everyone in society or is it only the privilege of the wealthy?
• How does the power of public relations work for marginalised members of society? Does public relations empower them? Does their use of public relations bring them to the mainstream?
• How do social media empower and give voice to marginalised publics?
• How do NGOs, community groups and other grassroots organisations access the power of public relations? How do public relations practitioners ensure that all voices are included and heard in public discourses?
• Do power and public relations have cultural dimensions? How does power play out in global public relations practice? How is power perceived and enacted in different cultural settings? Are practitioners “power brokers” - especially in politics? Are practitioners simply ciphers for powerful dominant coalitions?
• Is there a conflict between public relations power and corporate social responsibility values? Can public relations’ power be used for the common good? Are public relations power and ethics compatible?
• How do public relations curricula approach issues of power? Do existing curricula focus on public relations’ role in pursuing the interests of corporate dominant coalitions at the expense of other groups in society? 

Dr Kevin Moloney, Principal Lecturer in Communication at Bournemouth University, and author of Rethinking Public Relations: PR Propaganda and Democracy (Routledge), and Dr Johanna Fawkes, who specialises in public relations and ethics, will write the edition’s introductory article.

Submissions for review should be sent to James Mahoney at: james.mahoney@canberra.edu.au.

•        Submission deadline: 13 January 2012

•        Anticipated publication date: July 2012

Submissions for academic papers should be 5,000 words and practitioner papers between 2,500-3,000 words maximum. The journal's style guide is at: 

http://www.prismjournal.org/fileadmin/Praxis/Files/Journal_Files/Prism_House_Style.pdf

Submission terms and conditions are at: http://www.prismjournal.org/sub_guide.html