Lesson 2 - Chapter 3

The key point to remember from this week's readings was how theories can help in setting frameworks for public relations.

From Agenda Setting of news media to Grunig's four models, they all were theories brought up to support the works of public relations. I would say that the one model that is surviving very well is the the first one where 'attention-seeking' does work though information might not be 100% true most of the time. It might be a little demanding if we were to reach a balance between the public relations and the targeted public which is from model 4.

Model 1: press agentry
Model 2: public information
Model 3: two-way asymmetric
Model 4: two-way symmetric

The four models offer different directions and guidances for practitioners.

With regards to the journal article about hos Singapore tackled the SARS crisis, it was like a sudden awakening for me, bringing back memories of the days spent at home because SARS was in Singapore. As a young student, I had in fact enjoyed the extra days off at home but looking back, there were actually a lot of measures taken by the authorities just to protect citizens like me.

From my point of view, the SARS crisis was solved with the help of many public relations theories. It was not just the plain two-way symmetric model that did the work. I remember seeing propagandistic posters on walls informing all of the dangers of SARS. The fourth model did work but I do remember some jokers being caught on the streets with the SARS virus. Obviously, they were not heeding the advices.