A political economy of communication analysis of PRNEWS: Intern status, skills, and conflict within the public relations industry

IF 2.7 Q1 COMMUNICATION

Public Relations Inquiry Pub Date : 2024-07-20 DOI:10.1177/2046147x241266963

Joseph Giomboni

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

A textual analysis of PR News was conducted to understand the evolution of internship programs and explore how the industry articulates, rationalizes, and positions these workers as valuable sources of labor. This study featured articles about interns who were primarily participating in internships at colleges and universities in a U.S. context to consider the range of positions and professional development within the PR industry. A political economy of communication framework provides insights into potential exploitative working conditions and the dynamic power relationships between prospective workers and the organization. This relationship is constructed through trade publication texts that illustrate best practices for internship programs. In turn, interns may grant consent to potentially exploitative precarious work arrangements based on the specific conditions and perceived benefits at the worksite. This study argues that the PR industry began recruiting paid talent and developing skillsets until the economic recession led to a cost-benefit analysis of full-time entry-level workers. In addition, PR News discourses have the potential to create interoffice conflict when emerging workers adopt neoliberal motives to secure full-time employment but are confronted with internship programs rooted in administrative tasks. By understanding the texts that construct an emerging workforce, the PR industry can synergize development training programs, rather than contribute narratives that devalue both financially and professionally intern work.

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PRNEWS 的传播政治经济学分析：公共关系行业中实习生的地位、技能和冲突

我们对《公关新闻》（PR News）进行了文本分析，以了解实习生项目的演变过程，并探讨该行业如何将这些员工阐述、合理化并定位为有价值的劳动力来源。本研究以在美国高校实习的实习生为主要对象，探讨了公关行业的职位和职业发展范围。传播政治经济学框架提供了对潜在剥削性工作条件以及未来工人与组织之间动态权力关系的见解。这种关系是通过说明实习项目最佳实践的行业出版物文本构建的。反过来，实习生可能会根据工作场所的具体条件和预期利益，同意潜在的剥削性不稳定工作安排。本研究认为，在经济衰退导致对全职入门级员工进行成本效益分析之前，公关行业开始招募带薪人才并培养技能组合。此外，当新兴工作者采用新自由主义动机来获得全职工作，但又面临着以行政任务为基础的实习计划时，公关新闻话语有可能造成部门间的冲突。通过了解构建新兴劳动力的文本，公关行业可以协同发展培训计划，而不是提供贬低实习生工作的经济和专业价值的叙事。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Public Relations Inquiry COMMUNICATION-

CiteScore

4.10

自引率

11.10%

发文量

期刊介绍： Public Relations Inquiry is an international, peer-reviewed journal for conceptual, reflexive and critical discussion on public relations, supporting debates on new ways of thinking about public relations in social, cultural and political contexts, in order to improve understanding of its work and effects beyond the purely organisational realm. We interpret public relations in a broad sense, recognising the influence of public relations practices on the many forms of contemporary strategic, promotional communication initiated by organisations, institutions and individuals. The practice of public relations arises at points of societal and organisational change and transformation, affecting many aspects of political, economic, social and cultural life. Reflecting this, we aim to mobilize research that speaks to a scholars in diverse fields and welcome submissions from any area that speak to the purpose of the journal, including (but not only) public relations, organizational communication, media and journalism studies, cultural studies, anthropology, political communication, sociology, organizational studies, development communication, migration studies, visual communication, management and marketing, digital media and data studies. We actively seek contributions that can extend the range of perspectives used to understand public relations, its role in societal change and continuity, and its impact on cultural and political life. We particularly welcome multi-disciplinary debate about the communication practices that shape major human concerns, including: globalisation, politics, and public relations in international communication migration, refugees, displaced populations terrorism, public diplomacy public and corporate governance diversity and cultural impacts of PR the natural and built environments Communication, space and place The development and practices of major industries such as health, food, sport, tourism, technology.