PR and Propaganda contd

What is propaganda?

With many definitions one of which is; "the deliberate attempt by some individual or group to form, control or alter the attitudes of other groups by the use of instruments of communication, with the intention that in any given situation the reaction of those so influenced will be that desired by the propagandist" (Qualter, cited in Hazan, 1976:11)

Jacquie L'Etang describes the conceptual relationship between propaganda and public relations as contoversial and difficult.
Why? Firstly because several authors particularly Fawkes(2006:267-287) have noted that many basic definitions of propaganda could be equally well used to describe public relations. Secondly, to some analysts, public relations is propaganda especially as per historical evidence and some intrinsic problems concerned with trying to make public relations activity transparent to memebers of society.

What does all this controversy mean to today's pr student and future practioners? Propaganda as we all know is bad( anything that is deceitful, manipulates others into believing something else and covers up wrongdoing cannot be accepted as good) and the reason for the tainted image of Public Relations. Public relations is about reputation- the result of what you do, what you say and what others say about you.
With today's pr practioners being widely educated and the notion to be more ethical, hopefully there will be
no mistaking or linkage of public relations with propaganda in the future. This could be sooner rather than later should perpetrators be brought to justice.