GOVERNMENT AND MEDIA RELATIONS

 It is said that government cannot exist without the consent of the people, and people cannot co-exist peacefully without the machinery of government. This assertion is supported by Abraham Lincoln’s definition of democracy as “government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Government can only thrive/succeed when it receives full support from the public (people), because government is dependent on the public as well as private sources to generate revenue through taxes to enable them implement programs such as creation of jobs, improvement of transport, education, health care, infrastructure and rural development programs.

Media and government relations are the tools that can help gain public confidence. Government relations have to do with a two-way communication between the government and the public. This communication entails transparency in informing the public about government dealings and activities so the public will be abreast with the affairs of governance. This is done through the public relations department of the government. Press releases and media tours are examples of what the department does.

Creating good image and rapport between the government and the public can be made possible through media relations. Media relations involves working with various media for the purpose of informing the public of an organization’s mission here, governments mission, policies and practices in a positive, consistent and credible manner.

But, our government uses these channels to propagate their selfish agenda and mislead the public. The public cries out saying “my government, my government, why has thou forsaken us”.