This monograph explores the relationship between newsroom journalists and the practice of public relations. It traces the historical perception that a contentious relationship exists between the journalists and public relations professionals. The principal point of contention emerges in the general assertions by journalists that public relations practitioners do not uphold the ethics and principles that define the work of journalists. Finally it also emerges that public relations is often referred to both as a practice and as a profession an identity crisis which could be one of the factors driving the negative perceptions.