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New Survey on Government Communicators Breaks Down Stereotypes
NAGC report reveals enlightening statistics on overlooked profession
News Release from Mar. 24, 2008
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The National Association of Government Communicators’ first Trends and Salary Survey of the government public information profession shines a spotlight on an industry often overlooked. For the first time, we're able to supply some data that confirms our observations that the government communications field is full of dedicated and creative people," said NAGC President Gene Rose. "This is a field where technology and trends are changing rapidly."
Some of the survey's findings:
- Women dominate the profession. Nearly two out of every three government communicators are female.
- The largest percentage of government communicators are between 36 and 60 years old, suggesting that people do not enter government communications directly from college, but come from other fields.
- Most government communicators are pleased with their agency's attitude toward public relations and most believe the media does a fair job of covering their agency. But more than 80 percent believes their agency's Web site needs to be improved.
- At least 72 percent of government communicators say writing, editing, drafting news releases, producing web content and holding media events are core parts of their jobs. Only five percent write for blogs and only seven percent produce podcasts. However, they see this changing dramatically in the next two years, while they see less use of celebrity spokespersons and producing magazines, brochures and other publications.
- Nearly three-fourths of communicators find it impossible to do their jobs in a 40-hour work week.
- About 58 percent believe public cynicism is at an all-time high.
- In terms of contracted services, government communicators see more need for media measurement, Web conference and Web hosting.
- About three in 10 seek out higher educational degrees.