Final answer:
True. Teams have less control over public relations messages compared to paid media advertisements, which they can meticulously craft. Journalists have the autonomy to decide how or if they will present the PR materials, whereas paid media guarantees message delivery as designed by the team.
Step-by-step explanation:
You asked whether teams have far less control over the message that comes from public relations efforts than from those created by paid media. The answer is A. True. Teams do indeed have less control over public relations efforts. This is because public relations often involve the distribution of press releases and other materials to the news media with the hope that journalists will use them to create positive stories. However, journalists and media outlets have the final say in how, or even if, the information is presented to the public. In contrast, with paid media, such as advertisements, the team can control exactly what message is conveyed, how it looks, and when and where it will be presented.
The difference in control is significant because public relations does not guarantee that the message will reach the public as intended. It depends on the media's interpretation and willingness to feature the story. Social media, a newer platform for communication, also plays a role in balancing power in the political arena by allowing politicians and organizations to directly communicate with the public, but it presents challenges such as the spread of misinformation and a focus on sensationalism over analysis.