A company’s public relations department carries out the following activities. Which one of them is NOT an example of lobbying?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Advising the management on the stand the company should take on child labour.
Option (1) Meeting officials of the finance ministry before a new taxation policy is framed. — An example of lobbying. Lobbying means dealing with government officials and ministers about policies relating to business. A new taxation policy is one such policy.
Option (2) Giving the company’s views when the government asks major stakeholders about a new telecom policy. — An example of lobbying. While framing telecom and taxation policies, the government asks major stakeholders for their opinion. Giving that opinion is part of lobbying.
Option (3) Taking up with the ministry in charge of corporate affairs a draft regulation that affects the company. — An example of lobbying. The public relations department must be proactive about regulations that affect the company. It deals with ministers in charge of corporate affairs for this.
Option (4) Advising the management on the stand the company should take on child labour. — Not an example of lobbying. Here the department advises its own management on a public issue and the stand to take. This is counselling. Lobbying is done with the government.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “4. Lobbying: The organisation has to deal with government officials and different ministers in charge of corporate affairs, industry, finance with respect to policies relating to business and the economy. The government also seeks to maintain a healthy relationship with associations of commerce and industry and solicits the opinion of major stakeholders while formulating industrial, telecom, taxation policies, etc. The public relations department then has to be really proactive in promoting or decoding regulations that affect them. |