[ecrea] cfp: Special edition of PRism: Exploring power and public relations

Special edition of PRism: Exploring power and public relations
Editors
James Mahoney, Senior Lecturer, Public Relations, Convenor, Master of Strat=
egic Communication, University of Canberra
Dr Marianne Sison, Deputy Dean (International), School of Media and Communi=
cation, RMIT University
Dr Joyleen Chia, Public Relations Academic Director, School of Communicatio=
n, University of South Australia

Call for papers
Many view public relations as a "powerful" profession, one that has a privi=
leged role in setting communication agendas, and solving problems, in busin=
ess, sport, culture, and politics. So the public relations practitioner ste=
reotype is one who wields power, holds "secrets" that help businesses survi=
ve in troubled economic times, assists celebrities work their way out of th=
eir personal crisis, and coaches people such as Rupert Murdoch and his son =
James to negotiate their way through Parliamentary committee hearings.
Practitioners, or at least that variety known as media advisers and 'spin d=
octors', are often characterised as wizards possessed of potent magic to "m=
anage the media" and thus to control the 24/7 news cycle.

Some scholars debate the power relationships inherent in the theoretical mo=
dels we use to explain how the business works and why it works. Others seek=
 to explain the role of public relations in democratic societies, especiall=
y the ethical issues associated with transparency, dialogue and consultatio=
n within political arena.
Scholars agree that "power" is part of public relations practice. For some,=
 power is an underlying theme, perhaps the core goal, of public relations. =
For others, the power of modernist or capitalist public relations is proble=
matic, especially within the emerging global context (Pal&  Dutta, 2008; Mu=
nshi&  Kurian, 2005).
So, what is "power" in the context of public relations practice?

In his critical reflection on power and public relations, Berger (2005) cal=
led for "a fuller, more illuminating account of power relations" in public =
relations theory, and for public relations practitioners and scholars to be=
 "more astute political players and engaged activists."
Contributors to this special edition of PRism are invited to critically exp=
lore the theme "Power and Public Relations." The editors are especially int=
erested in research that examines and theorises public relations that goes =
beyond its application in the interests of society's so-called power elite.=
 In addition, how are power and public relations interpreted within various=
 global, cultural and political contexts? And how does public relations adv=
ance the cause of marginalised publics?
These themes might be explored through, but need not be limited to, the fol=
lowing possible topics:

 *   What is the nature of power in public relations? How is it exercised? =
Is it transparent or covert?
 *   Is there a difference between "power" and "influence"?
 *   Who exercises power in public relations? Where? How? Who legitimises t=
hat power?
 *   Is public discourse a consequence of the power of public relations?
 *   For whom is the power of public relations exercised? Against whom? Can=
 the power of public relations be accessed by everyone in society or is it =
only the privilege of the wealthy?
 *   How does the power of public relations work for marginalised members o=
f society? Does public relations empower them? Does their use of public rel=
ations bring them to the mainstream?
 *   How do social media empower and give voice to marginalised publics?
 *   How do NGOs, community groups and other grassroots organisations acces=
s the power of public relations? How do public relations practitioners ensu=
re that all voices are included and heard in public discourses?
 *   Do power and public relations have cultural dimensions? How does power=
 play out in global public relations practice? How is power perceived and e=
nacted in different cultural settings? Are practitioners "power brokers" - =
especially in politics? Are practitioners simply ciphers for powerful domin=
ant coalitions?
 *   Is there a conflict between public relations power and corporate socia=
l responsibility values? Can public relations' power be used for the common=
 good? Are public relations power and ethics compatible?
 *   How do public relations curricula approach issues of power? Do existin=
g curricula focus on public relations' role in pursuing the interests of co=
rporate dominant coalitions at the expense of other groups in society?
Dr Kevin Moloney, Principal Lecturer in Communication at Bournemouth Univer=
sity, and author of Rethinking Public Relations: PR Propaganda and Democrac=
y (Routledge), and Dr Johanna Fawkes, who specialises in public relations a=
nd ethics, will write the edition's introductory article.
Submissions for review should be sent to James Mahoney at: james.mahoney@ca=
nberra.edu.au<javascript:linkTo_UnCryptMailto('ocknvq,lcogu0ocjqpgaBecpdgtt=
c0gfw0cw');>.
*              Submission deadline: 30 November 2011
*              Anticipated publication date: June 2012
Submissions for academic papers should be 5,000 words and practitioner pape=
rs between 2,500-3,000 words maximum. The journal's style guide is at:
http://www.prismjournal.org/fileadmin/Praxis/Files/Journal_Files/Prism_Hous=
e_Style.pdf
Submission terms and conditions are at: http://www.prismjournal.org/sub_guide.html

...............................................

Jim Mahoney
Senior Lecturer  |  Course Convenor, Master of Strategic Communication
Faculty of Arts and Design
University of Canberra ACT 2601
Ph: +61 (0)2 6201 2555  |  Fax: +61 (0)2 6201 2630
Room: 9B38  Building 9



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