Abstract:

Public relations studies, when dealt with in the historical process, appear that capitalist production relations come as a result of a necessity in commercial organizations and in the private sector. In these institutions that my capitalism produces, the public relations activities are intensely implemented, but it is also remarkable that the public relations work in non-profit institutions is not professionally done or not focused on. This historic state of development, the communication age that we live today, has become different and in non-profit institutions, it is now seen that the work of public relations is taken into account. In this context, local governments have also been obliged to be included in the areas of public relations. Today, when globalization and urbanization have gained a big momentum, the responsibilities and responsibilities of local governments have increased simultaneously. Therefore, there was a great need and expectation for the work of public relations in the local governments. Public Relations work stands before us as a communication process and relationship management, first of all, to facilitate the understanding of administration by the public and to create a common language between administration and the public, to establish goodwill and to ensure a healthy communication environment by creating mutual understanding. Local governments, which are also a bridge between the local people and the government, have a very important position in terms of being understandable, gaining legitimacy, forming consent and fulfilling the desires and expectations of the people. As an external pressure element, the process of adjustment to the European Union has also made it necessary for the reform of local governments and the changes that have occurred have become an obligation beyond the need for public relations work. In this context, in our article, first and foremost, we have been trying to analyze the situation by identifying the state of existing public relations in local governments and why local governments need public relations.