OVERVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
International Relations as relations among nations refers to complex processes through
which nations develop, maintain, improve or at times destroy its relationships among the
members of the global community (Ezeukwu, 1999:30). The relations among nations or
states may be friendly, hostile, warlike, undefined or anything between the dichotomies of
friendliness and hostility.
Public International Relations (PUR)
Ofoegbu (1980) contends that Public International Relations (PUR) refers to the
entirety of political activities, processes, institutions and actors going on or existing
in the international system.
Private International Relations (PIR)
Unofficial international relations activities emanate from the deals among private
individuals of different countries. Such relationships are not instituted and
maintained by the states (Ezeukwu, 1999).
Economic International Relations (EIR):
Economic International Relations (EIR) activities among nations cover the
dimensions of international trade, commerce, movement of capital, goods and
services; transfer of technology and payment arrangements. The New International
Economic Order (NIEO) falls within this category.
Cultural International Relations (CIR):
The aspect of Cultural International Relations (CIR) activities embraces cultural,
social and intellectual activities but brings citizens of different nations together.
International Communications Relations (ICR):
International Communications Relations (ICR) cuts across all the other forms of
international relations. Countries all over the world utilize the services of both Print
and Electronic media to develop and maintain public, private, economic, cultural,
and miscellaneous international relations.
Governments Use the Services of the Media for the Following Reasons:
1. To effect external and infrastructural broadcasting services.
2. To keep in touch with nationals abroad to render national language services.
3. To provide up-to-date factual reporting on national and international events as a
service to those who might not have access to what the transmitter considers
objective news.
4. As a strategy to correct foreign domination of a country’s mass media and biased
news reporting by foreign nations.
5. To portray internationally an image of the country’s society and culture in a style
that could foster listeners’ interest and understanding; the tendency to hear and be heard.
6. To carry on propaganda and news-talk attacks against other nations.
7. To spread abroad a nation’s national policies and views on current events of global affairs.