The Pros and Cons of National Defense: A Study of the Proponents, Opponents, Issues, and the Public Affairs and Public Relations Programs Surrounding the B-1 Strategic Bomber

摘要

The thesis outlined here was written as part of the candidacy requirements for a Masters of Science Degree in Public Relations at the American University, Washington, D.C. in August 1979. Length is 203 pages. Written as a broad overview of the public affairs and public relations efforts surrounding the B-1, the paper contains an historical chapter on how the B-1 developed as an issue and the public affairs/public relations programs devised in support of the aircraft. Air Force public affairs activities and Rockwell International public relations efforts are reviewed separately and are discussed using the four-step public relations problem solving process found in Effective Public Relations by Scott Cutlip and Allen Center. A content analysis of a New York Times abstract of B-1 stories reported in that paper is included in a separate chapter. The analysis was designed to determine what issues were raised, both pro and con, about the B-1; the month in which the stories were printed; their page placement within the paper; and the spokespersons for the issues. The abstract was obtained from the New York Times Information Bank. Based upon the reviewed material and the content analysis, conclusions and recommendations are offered in the last chapter. (Author)