The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications is the communications school at Syracuse University. It has programs in print and broadcast journalism; advertising; public relations; and television and film.

The school was named for publishing magnate Samuel Irving Newhouse Sr., who provided the founding gift in 1964. The Newhouse family, now led by sons S.I. Newhouse Jr. and Donald, chairman and president, respectively, of Advance Publications, continutes to support the school, most recently (in 2003) with a $15 million gift for the construction of Newhouse 3, the third building in the Newhouse School's three-building complex.

Lorraine Branham has served as dean of the school since 2008. The school includes about 70 full-time faculty members and about 50 adjunct instructors. Enrollment includes some 1,800 undergraduate students; 225 graduate students; and 15 doctoral degree candidates. Admissions are highly selective and in 2011, NewsPro ranked Newhouse as the top journalism school in the country.

Public Information Officers (PIOs) are the communications coordinators or spokespersons of certain governmental organizations (i.e. city, county, school district, state government and police/fire departments). They differ from public relations departments of private organizations in that marketing plays a more limited role. The primary responsibility of a PIO is to provide information to the media and public as required by law and according to the standards of their profession. Many PIOs are former journalists, bringing unique and relevant experience to the position. During crises and emergencies, PIOs are often identified by wearing helmets or vests with the letters "PIO" on them.

Among the oldest and largest public information professional organizations is The California Association of Public Information Officials or CAPIO.