Written evidence submitted by the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies, Goldsmiths, University of London Written evidence submitted to the House of Commons Select Committee on Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs in response to call for evidence for the Inquiry into Civil Service Leadership and Reform
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Garland, Ruth. 2023. Written evidence submitted by the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies, Goldsmiths, University of London Written evidence submitted to the House of Commons Select Committee on Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs in response to call for evidence for the Inquiry into Civil Service Leadership and Reform. [Professional Activity]
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PACAC inquiry 2023 The status and constitutional position of the Civil Service final.pdf - Submitted Version Download (305kB) | Preview |
Abstract or Description
Executive Summary
1. It is argued that the government's public communication function, both through the Government Communication Service (GCS) and Special Advisers, is a leadership resource that could and should be more effectively and transparently regulated.
2. Propriety guidance and codes of conduct for government press officers and Special Advisers do not set out with enough clarity how statements by official government sources are to be attributed in a way that informs the public.
3. It should be recognised that news management and branding have become central tasks for Special Advisers and that it is inevitable that these tasks may conflict with and undermine the efforts of the GCS to maintain public trust through objective and informative communication.
4. It is recommended that more detailed guidance on attribution is reflected in the Special Adviser and GCS Codes, and that a senior, named, Cabinet Office communications official is given oversight of the No.10/Cabinet Office press offices that includes the activities of Special Advisers.
5. The senior leadership of the GCS should be empowered to consider the overall impact on government communications of the activities of media Special Advisers and should hold editorial oversight of the annual UK Government Communications Plan .
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Item Type: |
Professional Activity |
| Departments, Centres and Research Units: |
Media, Communications and Cultural Studies |
| Date: |
7 September 2023 |
| Item ID: |
34019 |
| Date Deposited: |
08 Sep 2023 13:26 |
| Last Modified: |
08 Sep 2023 13:35 |
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URI: |
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