Media and publicity protocols
Councillors and officers have a duty to inform
and communicate effectively with people. When communicating with
residents, Allerdale Borough Council aims to conform to the
Government’s Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority
Publicity (made under the Local Government Act 2000). This
code covers the rules around content and style of publicity,
dissemination, advertising, promotion of individual councillors and
restrictions during the election period.
Publicity describing the Council’s policies,
aims and activities will be as objective as possible, concentrating
on facts or explanation or both. Any comment will be objective,
balanced, informative and accurate.
News releases
Council news releases are written by the
Communications Officer providing information about the Council
and its services. Council news releases will be factual and
expressed in plain English. News releases will be free of party
political bias. Embargoes will only be used when considered
essential.
Media enquiries
The media should address their enquiries to
the Communications Officer. The Council will be mindful of
journalists' deadlines and will try to use an
appropriate, named spokesperson in the quotes it provides
wherever possible.
Publicity during the pre-election period
During the six-week pre-election period,
particular care will be taken to ensure that laws surrounding local
government publicity are not breached. News releases and responses
to media enquiries issued by the Council during this period
will not quote councillors nor will councillors feature in any
photographs that accompany news releases.