A person considering a degree in communications may wonder, “What is public communication?” There are different types of communications, and the public type refers to the sharing of information to the general public so that they can have awareness of a topic or an important message. There are several methods of public communication that are essential for the distribution of information.
Related Resource: Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs
What Communicating to the Public Means
Communicating information to the public means putting information in oral, written or audio formats without restrictions so that anyone can access the information. It may involve a specific gathering of the public, or it may be released on one or more types of media simultaneously in order to reach a large number of people across a wide area. The communications could be released by the government, a private business, a nonprofit organization, or an individual. No specific payment, membership, or access code is required for a person to receive a communication intended for the public.
Purpose or Goal of Communication With the Public
The purpose or goal of communications with the public is to inform a large number of people. The goal might be to provide information about an upcoming special event in the area, such as a public distribution of bottled water after an emergency. It may also be to prepare people for another communication, such as when the White House issues a statement that there will be a presidential address later in the day. The intent of public communications is that nobody gets left out of receipt of the information.
Methods of Public Communications
According to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), there are many methods of public communications that can be used in order to share essential information. Those include broadcast, cable, and satellite television transmissions. They also include newspapers, radio, magazines, mass mailings, telephone calls, text messages, outdoor advertising, and website advertising. The FEC adds that many other methods can be used, so long as no fee is required for the person to gain access to the particular message.
How Communications With the Public Are Regulated
Some communications with the public are regulated by local, state, or federal authorities. For example, the FEC regulates the information that can be used in political advertisements for specific candidates, issues, and general campaigns. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also plays a role in the regulation of communications with the public. For example, the FCC is responsible for ensuring that the messages do not contain vulgar, discriminatory, or offensive language against a particular person or group. Both Commissions may require a disclaimer on some of the communications issued to the public. For example, in an advertisement that encourages people to vote for a particular candidate for a local, state, or federal election, the FEC requires a disclaimer stating who or what organization paid for the ad.
Being familiar with communication techniques for the public is a key factor in success in many types of jobs, from public relations to marketing and emergency preparedness. It is also important for a degree candidate or new graduate to remember that public communications should be written at a level that nearly everyone can read and understand. Understanding what public communication is could help a person select their concentration of study or their future career path.