On Friday, I received the questions for my CIPR Diploma Critical Reasoning Test. On first glance I am relatively happy with the choice of questions:

1. “Public relations is most likely to contribute to organisational effectiveness when the senior public relations manager is a member of the dominant coalition – where he or she is able to shape the organisation’s goals and to help determine which external publics are most strategic.” (Grunig, L. Grunig, J. and Dozier, 2002:97 cited in Grunig, L. Grunig, J. and Dozier, 2006:34). Write a report to the Board of the organisation you work for, explaining why this is so.
2. “Propaganda is not neutral, it aims to further the aims of the propagandist.” (Wright, 1991). Discuss this definition of propaganda in the light of “ethical propaganda” campaigns, such as public safety or public health campaigns in your country.
   
3. Using the theories behind relationship management along with some practical examples and some methods, write a case for highlighting the relations in public relations.
   
4. There is an increasing number of individuals and organisations entering the “blogosphere”, where reputations are played with by almost everyone, from anonymous mischief makers to the openly concerned. Your CEO has heard that her name has been mentioned in an anonymous blog and she wants to retaliate. Before you advise her as to what is best to do, write yourself a reflective paper about public relations and the “blogosphere”.

I have to pick two of the four questions to answer and submit them by 29th April. I think I am going to choose the 2nd and 4th questions; on Propoganda and Blogging.

References:

Q. 1 – Grunig, L. Grunig, J. and Dozier (2006) “The Excellence Theory” in Botan, C. and Hazleton, V. (eds) Public Relations Theory II, Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, pp. 21 – 62

Q. 2 – Wright, J. (1991) Terrorist propaganda: The Red Army Faction and the provisional IRA 1968-86, Basingstoke:MacMillan