Media Enquiries
The main purposes of Local Authority Media Relations is to ensure consistency in messages and issues arising, and high quality in the content and speed of responses to enquiries. Wherever possible the emphasis of media relations should be proactive and informative rather than reactive, defensive and internally focused.
Code Of Practice On Local Government Publicity
All Officers, Councillors and organisations funded by the Council must comply with the Code of Practice on Local Government Publicity, issued under the Local Government Act 1986 (as amended in 1988 and 2001). The code stipulates that publicity or information campaigns should:
- promote well being
- not be politically biased
- be balanced, informative and accurate
- not be designed to persuade people to hold a certain view.
In addition the Borough of Poole's Communications Strategy prescribes the values:
- integrity and honesty
- openness and accessibility
- leadership and accountability
- clarity
The Media Relations Officer will ensure that the Council's communications are clear, consistent, timely and in keeping with the Council's Corporate Mission, Vision and Priorities. The overall purpose is to ensure media enquiries are dealt with quickly and efficiently by the most appropriate person. By providing clear information within media deadlines, we have the best opportunities to play a part in shaping a story and ensure the message we want to communicate is put across.
Media Enquiries
Due to the complex nature of local government, enquiries from the media can be extensive and extremely varied. They can arrive by telephone, email, fax or in person and vary from general background information to requests for radio and television interviews.
How the Council responds can also vary depending upon the type of enquiry. This can include:
- face to face briefings/interviews with key council spokespeople;
- written responses in the form of press releases and direct comments; or
- general information and commentary via the telephone, email and Corporate promotional material.
To ensure uniformity, all media enquiries will be handled by the Communications Team in conjunction with relevant Service Units and the appropriate Cabinet Portfolio Holder. Named spokespeople will be provided who will either be a Senior Officer or Cabinet Portfolio Holder.
Requests To Film In Poole
Requests to film in Poole can usually be handled into two distinct areas, the majority of which are news items for broadcast by local media and are distinctly Poole in nature. In most cases the Council is happy to support such requests to ensure the town's reputation is best managed and promoted. However, from time to time requests are also made for location filming which can have a commercial value and often demand more work. In such cases a charge can be levied to reflect the level of work involved in handling such approaches.
Contact Us
If you are a member of the media or have any media enquiries please contact the Media Relations Officer or Communications team on Tel: 01202 633295 or email pr@poole.gov.uk.
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