In India

PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTICES

BY SHAMBHU SHARAN AND SHEILA BISHOP MABORN SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS FALL 2011

Background
Located in Southern Asia Surrounded by the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal

Between Burma and Pakistan

One-third the size of U.S.A. Population: 1,189,172,906

Ranks second in the worlds most countries

Growth rate 1.41%

Background
Capital: New Delhi Major Cities:
Mumbai Kolkata Chennai Bangalore

Gained Independence in 1947 80.5% Hindus, 13.4% Muslims, 1.9% Sikh and 1.9%

others.

Cultural Orientation
Hindi is the national language English is a link language There are 44 different languages in India Sanskrit is an ancient language that is still used by Hindus religious practices and educational institutions

Government
Legal system is based off of the British model Parliamentary democracy Separate law codes are provided for Muslims,

Christians, and Hindus Indian currency: Rupee One rupee is equal to $0.20 USD

Public Relations with Government

PIB (Public Information Bureau) disseminates information through
Press releases Press notes Feature articles Backgrounders Press briefings Photographs Press conferences Interviews Press tours

Officers assist Ministries and Departments in distributing

information Dispute with Kashmir

Practices in India
Use interpersonal communication to develop personal

influence with key groups were key individuals, particularly in the media, the government, and among activists used hospitality relations (giving gifts, hosting dinners and cocktails) and media junkets to humor relevant publics from whom they could later claim return favors uses media kits, releases, advisories and pitch letters that are sent to editors and news directors via fax, e-mail or mail depending on personal preferences television and newspapers are the most popular mass media for providing information

Practices in India
Television currently the third largest cable TV viewing nation in the world Newspapers 8400 newspaper companies

Public relations professional makes sure that the message is translated into every language and that it fits every culture

Public Relations Responsibilities

Communicator between the public and the government by translating material into

different languages to target all markets Past

Worked for the government arranging travel, boarding

executives, taking care of hospitality arrangements and handling media relations

Now
Valuable asset to marketing campaigns and increasing

global communication with other international companies

Public Relations Responsibilities

So popular that many multinational companies are vying to build their offices in India

Professional skills
India-specific messaging Region-specific messaging

Communicating commitment to India

Leveraging industry bodies and partners

PR Differences in U.S. and India

U.S.A.
Created the Code of Ethics Drafted in 1950 PR professionals must adhere to this Believes the profession of public relations should

be seen as a management position No equity in gender roles in public relations Target market attracts

PR Differences in U.S. and India

India
Adopted most of the public relations practices from

the western culture code of ethics does not exist licensed profession gender equity Men and Women are paid the same salary socially, culturally, politically, economically, religiously and ethnically diverse

Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCAXnXT

MFOY

Coverage of Terrorist Attacks

Mixed reviews on journalists reporting
some believed the coverage was not factual and

lacked knowledge citizens that opposed the media coverage used social media sites to voice their opinions images used for media coverage are too graphic and anger certain Indian groups since the media does not abide by ethics many journalists face many concerns on what is appropriate for coverage

Thank You!

ANY QUESTIONS?