A press secretary or press officer is a senior advisor who provides advice on how to deal with the news media and, using news management techniques, helps their employer to maintain a positive public image and avoid negative media coverage.
Press secretaries also give declarations to the media when a particular event happens or an issue arises inside an organization.
They are expected, therefore, to have in-depth knowledge about the institution or organization they represent, and to be able to explain and answer questions about the organization's policies, views upon a particular issue and its official standpoint on problematic questions.
The role of the press officer originated in Europe in the 19th century, created by governments.
[1] In the United States, Stephen T. Early, who worked for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, is credited as being America's first modern presidential press secretary.