“… everything else is public relations.” – George Orwell.
I first came across this statement when I was in my third year studying Public relations at Jayee University. I did not understand the meaning of that statement until I started practicing as freelance PR personnel. I practically had to do a brief background checks about the man behind that statement, George Orwell.
George Orwell was just his pen name; his real name is Eric Arthur Blair, an English novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic. His work is marked by lucid prose, awareness of social injustice, opposition to totalitarianism, and outspoken support of democratic socialism. He is the author of the popular political fable ‘Animal Farm’.
If a man of such stands can make such a statement then I have to meditate on these words. First of all, let us look at the brief definition of Public Relations according to the Wikipedia; Public
relations (PR) is the practice of managing the spread of information between an individual or
an organization (such as a business, government agency, or a nonprofit organization) and the public.
The Lawyer is basically interested in defending his/her client in the court room, the Marketer’s primary objective is to increase patronage on products or services, the advertiser is mainly interested in getting attention by informing and persuading.
Public Relations on the other hand does beyond all these. I will say it is the conscience of every organization. Are we providing our audience with the right information? What is the effect of the decisions or actions we take as an organization.? Is it just about getting attention and customers?
These and more are some of the questions that run through the minds of every PR manager in making decisions for their client or organisation.
As PR professionals we are not only interested in our organization but also every stakeholder involved. “When practicing as a PR, never tell a lie to favor your organization.” This was the first advise my PR lecturer gave us in class. We do not only represent our organization but we also represent every stakeholder in our organization.
Till date everything revolves around Public Relations, name them Religion, Medicine, Technology
Politics, Sports and Business, from new digital media down to traditional media. I can’t think of
anything that does not involve Public Relations.
I therefore agree with the Journalist who once said “Journalism is printing what someone else does
not want printed. Everything else is Public Relations”- George Orwell author of ‘Animal Kingdom’.
