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Approximately 70,000 to 100,000 people work in public relations today in the United States. This document discusses the field of public relations at present and the view for 1980 as seen by practitioners and educators. The thesis is advanced that practitioners, educators, and students must raise the field to greater professional heights in order to improve its quality and gain acceptance in more organizations. The following topics are discussed, among others: definitions of public relations, the background of current practitioners, new roles, the issue of professionalism, the educational base, the need of businesses for public relations, accreditation and professional improvement, and the future of public relations. A bibliography is appended. (CC)