The Status Quo of Public Relations in Liaising Political and Religious Affairs in Tanzania
Keywords:
The position, public relations, liaising, political, religious, affairs, TanzaniaAbstract
The focus of this study was to examine the position of Public Relations in liaising political and religious affairs in Tanzania. Specifically the study sought to explore the types of activities and affairs which bring together religious leaders and politicians in Tanzania. To explore this, two research questions were posed: (i) what are the political issues that religious leaders have often been involved with between 2010 and 2016? And (ii) what are the religious activities which political leaders have often been involved with? The study employed qualitative case study research design. The area of study was St. Augustine University of Tanzania, Mwanza. The data were collected using qualitative data collections methods of interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). Whereas purposive and convenience sampling procedures were utilized to get the respondents for the study. A total of thirty (30) informants were involved in the interviews, and the Focus Group Discussion was comprised of ten (10) informants. The findings suggest that Public Relations has a significant share in liaising and integrating the political and religious affairs in Tanzania. It was revealed that through Public Relations, religious leaders in Tanzania have been preaching for peace, love, unit and oneness amongst citizens during political affairs. The findings further suggest that there have numerous fundraising activities in the places of worships which bring together religious leaders and politicians.
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