\n \n Communication officer – University of Gothenburg, Sweden – Nordicom <\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
In the book Vad vi vet om svenska myndigheters kommunikationsverksamheter<\/em> [What We Know About Swedish Government Agencies\u2019 Communication Activities<\/em>], researchers Magnus Fredriksson<\/strong> and Josef Pallas<\/strong> describe a field that ranges from campaigns, media interventions, and crisis communication to ongoing information activities, branding, and governance issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToday, communication is regarded as an obvious solution to many problems in the public sector, and there are great expectations of what more and better communication can achieve\u201d, says Magnus Fredriksson, professor of media and communication studies at the University of Gothenburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe want to show that the use of communication is not neutral \u2013 it is shaped by ideological and tactical considerations, as well as by professional norms both inside and outside the agencies. That is what we try to highlight in the book\u201d, Fredriksson continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seven Things We Known<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the concluding chapter, seven points are formulated that together highlight recurring features of agencies\u2019 communication activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEach point emphasises a specific aspect, and together they provide a comprehensive picture of how government agencies\u2019 communication works, what characterises it, and how it can be understood as an arena for different ideas\u201d, says Josef Pallas, professor of business studies at Uppsala University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One point, for example, is that there is no consistent idea guiding government agencies\u2019 communication activities. Instead, the field is characterised by a set of conflicting ideas pulling in different directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThroughout the book, we point out that communication is a prerequisite for organisation, administration, and politics \u2013 but the belief that communication often possesses almost magical qualities is a cultural phenomenon that has emerged more recently\u201d, says Fredriksson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find the book here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The debate on government agencies\u2019 communication flares up from time to time \u2013 it can be about campaigns, costs, or the number of communications officers employed. In a new book, two researchers provide an overview of Swedish government agencies\u2019 communication activities. 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