Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
Communication, Professional
Date of Award
12-2011
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
John M. King
Committee Members
Kelly Price, Stephen W. Marshall
Abstract
Researchers conducted a content analysis to measure framing of the public relations industry in 354 English language broadcast transcripts from the United States, Canada, and Australia from Sept. 1, 2009 to Aug. 31, 2010.
The overall tone toward public relations was strongly negative. Mentions reflected one-way forms of communication and mentions of the pejorative term "PR" appeared more frequently than mentions of "public relations". The profession was almost always mentioned within the body of the broadcast, as opposed to the headline or the lead paragraph.
Exploratory research showed 15 shows that included negative mentions 100% of the time. Additionally, 27 shows included zero positive mentions of either term. Of 251 speakers recorded during data analysis, 126 spoke of the industry negatively 100% of the time. American shows were most often negative. Stories about the public relations industry were most likely to reflect public relations as a two-way form of communication.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Litvack, Samara Rose, "Talking Heads: How Broadcast Media Frame the Public Relations Industry." (2011). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1396. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1396
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.