. Policy and political communication [6 marks] Using the two pictures below, discuss the difference between policy communication and political communication. Picture 1.Presidency of South Africa?

Policy communication refers to the dissemination of information about government policies, programs, and initiatives to the public. It focuses on explaining the rationale behind policies, their intended outcomes, and how they will be implemented. In the context of the Presidency of South Africa, policy communication would involve the government communicating with the public about its various policies and programs, such as healthcare reform, education initiatives, or economic development plans.

Political communication, on the other hand, involves the communication strategies used by politicians and political parties to promote their interests, gain support, and influence public opinion. It often involves messaging that is designed to appeal to specific voter demographics or advance a particular political agenda. In the context of the Presidency of South Africa, political communication would involve the President and their party using various communication channels to promote their image, gain support for their policies, and shape public perception of their leadership.

In the first picture, we see a press conference being held by the Presidency of South Africa, which could be an example of policy communication. The President or government officials may be explaining a new policy initiative or addressing a current issue to inform the public and gain their support.

Overall, the key difference between policy communication and political communication is that policy communication focuses on informing the public about government policies and programs, while political communication is more about promoting political interests and shaping public opinion to gain support.