2014-03-25 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda Pages 168-231

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                     25 MARCH 2014


15.     MEDIA RELATIONS POLICY

Author             Chief of Staff, Debra Iezzi
                   Executive Office

Index              ECM/ Subject/ Media and Communications/ External Communications &
                   Subject/ Governance/ Strategic Policies

Attachments        1.    Strategic Policy - Media Relations



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The purpose of this report is to gain Council approval to the attached Media Relations Policy
which provides for the effective communication of Council affairs to the public through the media.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the report by the Chief of Staff to the Planning & Organisation Committee
dated 25 March 2014 and adopt the Media Relations Policy shown as Attachment 1 to the report.



REPORT

Council has an important relationship with the media. This relationship provides an opportunity to
keep the community informed about Council activities, services and programs, and involve the
community in dialogue about the provision of services and planning for the future.

The purpose of the Media Relations Policy is to provide for effective communication of Council
affairs to the public through the media. The Policy aims to promote positive coverage of Council
affairs that is fair, accurate and reliable.

The Media Policy has the following objectives:

     To promote the open exchange of information between Council and the media;
     To promote positive media relationships;
     To ensure consistency by Councillors and staff in dealing with the media; and
     To clearly indicate Council’s authorised spokespersons.

The Policy recognises the Mayor as the official spokesman for Council and provides guidelines to
staff in dealing with the media which are consistent with the Councillor Code of Conduct and the
Local Government Act 2009.

The Councillor Code of Conduct Policy was approved by Council on 13 January 2014 and provides that:

“A Councillor must:
 Not communicate with the public or media on behalf of the Council, unless expressly authorised by the
    Council to make that communication;
 When communicating with the public or the media, make it clear when they are expressing a personal
    opinion, and when they are speaking on behalf of Council;




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