Introduction
The Council adopts as open a policy as possible in dealing with enquiries from the media and members of the public in recognition of the democratic structure of the Council, the delivery of public services valued at £500 million plus each year and our commitment to Freedom of Information.
Public Relations Office
The Council’s Public Relations Manager and his team, based within the Chief Executive’s Service, have the main responsibility for fielding media/public enquiries, issuing news releases and communicating with staff, editing the Council Web and the Internet Sites, and dealing with Freedom of Information requests.
Media Outlets
In its area, the council has 12 local newspapers, two radio stations, two television companies, two major news (freelance) agencies feeding the national press. The Press & Journal, Herald, Dundee Courier and The Scotsman all have staff reporters operating in the area and there is also a growing network of community newspapers and community radio stations.
News Releases
The Public Relations Office issues 550 - 600 news releases per year. It also displays them on the Intranet/Internet. All news releases should be issued by Public Relations staff or channelled through them to ensure consistency of quality and presentation and maximum coverage.
Handling Media Enquiries
Calls from national newspapers and general media enquires are normally channelled through the Public Relations Office. However, it is unreasonable to suggest that only Public Relations Staff should handle media enquiries, given the volume of calls and the decentralised way the council operates. Each service director should identify those senior staff in his/her service who has permission to speak to media representatives. This will normally be heads of service and managers. At area level, responsibility for dealing with the media should be restricted to the area manager and service managers, who may need to issue statements to the media following meetings.
If the media inquiry involves a matter of a serious or disciplinary nature, the query should be referred back to the Public Relations Office. The relevant local councillor and committee chairman should be immediately advised of any sensitive media enquiry as they will be the first to be asked to comment.
Media Training
The Public Relations Office is available to offer training to assist managers in handling enquiries from the media.
September 2006