A press secretary or press officer is a senior advisor who provides advice on how to deal with the
news media and, using
news management techniques, helps their employer to maintain a positive public image and avoid negative media coverage.
Duties and functions
They often, but not always, act as the organization's senior
spokesperson. Many
government
A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a State (polity), state.
In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive (government), execu ...
s also have deputy press secretaries. A deputy press secretary is typically a mid-level political staffer who assists the press secretary and communications director with aspects of public outreach. They often write the
press releases and media advisories for review by the press secretary and
communications director. There are usually assistant press secretaries and press officers that support the press secretary. Press secretaries also give declarations to the media when a particular event happens or an issue arises inside an organization. They are expected, therefore, to have in-depth knowledge about the institution or organization they represent, and to be able to explain and answer questions about the organization's policies, views upon a particular issue and its official standpoint on problematic questions.
History
The role of the press officer originated in Europe in the 19th century, created by governments.
In the United States,
Stephen T. Early, who worked for President
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882April 12, 1945), also known as FDR, was the 32nd president of the United States, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. He is the longest-serving U.S. president, and the only one to have served ...
, is credited as being America's first modern presidential press secretary.
See also
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Attaché
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Chief Cabinet Secretary
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Downing Street Press Secretary
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Press service
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Spin doctor
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Spokesperson
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White House Press Secretary
References
External links
Mass media occupations
Government occupations
Political occupations
Business occupations
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