Public relations practices in local governments (municipalities)

Abstract

Today, public relations has become a unit that undertakes important activities in institutions and organizations. Public relations can be categorised according to its field of activity as internal and external public relations for recognition and promotion. In this context, public relations has a unit function for the organisation, reaching the target audience and the public in general. Public relations activities in public institutions, especially in elected structures, have increased in importance in order to create a positive perspective in society. In other words, organisations aim to create corporate identity and corporate image by knowing the target audience and providing information about the organisation to the public. Local governments, one of these structures, can be briefly defined as local institutions that aim to serve the local people and are organised for this purpose. When we examine the organisational structure of municipalities as a local government model, we see that the public relations unit has been established as a unit that will organise and manage relations with the public. Under the headings of recognition and promotion, this study examines the public relations initiatives put forth by the local government within the framework of its fundamental principles