Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
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Admin
Irishman
Charly
Poppyanna555
Hinch
Mulldog
Spartacus
11 posters
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Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/127/council-watch/75582/council-bullying-revealed
Totally unacceptable!
I want to know who has issued this instruction and on what basis they believe it to be justified.
Totally unacceptable!
I want to know who has issued this instruction and on what basis they believe it to be justified.
Spartacus- Space Cadet
- Posts : 325
Join date : 2012-09-05
Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
I was going to post a thread up about this spat myself. Seems someone is leaning on someone who is leaning on someone else at RMBC etc etc.
Mulldog- Crew
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Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
Spartacus wrote:http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/127/council-watch/75582/council-bullying-revealed Totally unacceptable! I want to know who has issued this instruction and on what basis they believe it to be justified.
Is it worth having a ' Council Watch' Subject on the forum, or re-naming this thread FREEDOMOF THE PRESS - 'COUNCIL WATCH.' Any views or ideas?
Last edited by Admin on Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:43 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Breach of copyright)
Guest- Guest
Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
Probably best for me to say very little about this apart from to say that it makes political reportage in Rochdale VERY difficult ... unless you are in the right media camp.
That cannot be in the interest of anyone... RMBC included.
That cannot be in the interest of anyone... RMBC included.
Hinch- Spaceship Commander
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Location : Stradhoughton
Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
Not on is it but, I think they may have shot themselves in the foot on this one! All this does is highlight the fact that this Authority has got much to hide.
Poppyanna555- Officer of the Watch
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Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
I think it will be a good idea having somewhere where people can tell their stories, bring it on.
Charly- Spaceship Commander
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Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
Charly wrote:I think it will be a good idea having somewhere where people can tell their stories, bring it on.
Perhaps not on this forum though Charly as the subject could bring about litigation cases from disgruntled parties? I think we should stick to discussing Chavs & Hoodies on Yorkshire St to be on the safe side
Mulldog- Crew
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Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
mmmm you got a point there, certain members of the council are known to have solicitors on speed dial
Charly- Spaceship Commander
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Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
Speed Dial ha ha- love it. I let out one almighty guffaw there. Brilliant!Charly wrote: speed dial
Mulldog- Crew
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Age : 51
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Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
Have you not seen that big red phone in the council chamber, its just got the one button ? its like the one in the Batcave, direct line to Suehem and Claimit
Charly- Spaceship Commander
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Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
People can always PM me with stories of concern or email them to me at Rochdale Online.
The council should be pleased they don't have RAP to deal with!
The council should be pleased they don't have RAP to deal with!
Hinch- Spaceship Commander
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Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
I believe I've had my first post pulled on the forum, life eh! you can't call a rat a rat these days...
No problem Admin.
No problem Admin.
Irishman- Crew
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Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
Maybe if you said 'larger than your average mouse' instead, it might have got through the mods
Charly- Spaceship Commander
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Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
Or else added the word 'allegedly'.
Hinch- Spaceship Commander
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Location : Stradhoughton
Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
Or else added the word ' Supposedly,' or ' Purportedly,' or ' Seemingly,' or ' Ostensibly ' ....
Guest- Guest
Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
If a post is potentially defamatory it is a myth that adding such qualifying words changes things, it does not.
Guest- Guest
Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
Spartacus wrote:http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/127/council-watch/75582/council-bullying-revealed
Totally unacceptable!
I want to know who has issued this instruction
Is anyone going to be able to answer this member's question ?
Guest- Guest
Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
You are asking the wrong people MJH. Try the council Media Team.
Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
It is wrong if RO are being treated like this. Is this just a recent problem or as it been going on for a long time? Without a decent idependent local paper, this town needs RO, as we are not adequately covered by the regional press or news, except when they talk about Smith and or grooming gangs.
UP THE DALE- Officer of the Watch
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Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
Charly wrote:Maybe if you said 'larger than your average mouse' instead, it might have got through the mods
Well I did say rodent Charly but they weren't having it, hate bullies.
Irishman- Crew
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Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
Who, the mods?
Charly- Spaceship Commander
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Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
Charly wrote:Who, the mods?
No the rat in question, that's why they pulled it.
Irishman- Crew
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Not a 'timid rag'
Local news organizations have two options, either to cosy up to the local council and councillors, MPs and major local organizations, not digging too far into any embarrassing issues, or to challenge and expose scandal, corruption, criminality and secrecy whoever is responsible. The first option certainly gives an easier life, but gains less respect, and can lead to being branded a 'timid local rag' in Private Eye, whereas the second option leads to more conflict, but maintains integrity and consistency, and surely is the press that we want and need.
A quote from Red Dwarf comes to mind,
from the Cat"There is an old cat proverb: It is better to live one hour as a tiger, than an entire lifetime as a worm.",
with the response from Rimmer, " Yes, but whoever heard of a worm-skin rug!"
A quote from Red Dwarf comes to mind,
from the Cat"There is an old cat proverb: It is better to live one hour as a tiger, than an entire lifetime as a worm.",
with the response from Rimmer, " Yes, but whoever heard of a worm-skin rug!"
Striding- Crew
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Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
Striding wrote:Local news organizations have two options, either to cosy up to the local council and councillors, MPs and major local organizations, not digging too far into any embarrassing issues, or to challenge and expose scandal, corruption, criminality and secrecy whoever is responsible. The first option certainly gives an easier life, but gains less respect, and can lead to being branded a 'timid local rag' in Private Eye, whereas the second option leads to more conflict, but maintains integrity and consistency, and surely is the press that we want and need.
A quote from Red Dwarf comes to mind,
from the Cat"There is an old cat proverb: It is better to live one hour as a tiger, than an entire lifetime as a worm.",
with the response from Rimmer, " Yes, but whoever heard of a worm-skin rug!"
How do you cosy up to a power crazed rodent Striding?
Irishman- Crew
- Posts : 162
Join date : 2012-10-12
Re: Freedom of the Press? NOT in Rochdale!
RMBC MEDIA POLICY
This is RMBC's Media Policy.
It is simply not on for them to make a decision to deny access to press releases etc. to members of the local media. They can not pick and chose to suit themselves.
If they have a media protocol problem with Rochdale Online they need to seek to resolve it not spit their dummies out. According to their own policy the Council's Monitoring Officer should have been involved. That being the case there should be some written record of what has happened here including who decided this action was necessary and their reasons for doing so. Rochdale Online should have been informed accordingly with the main objective being to resolve matters wherever possible.
Even if it was not possible to resolve matters to RMBCs satisfaction they should still seek to build cordial relationships with ALL sections of the media regardless.
I have a PR background and experience dealing with the press who I know can be extremely difficult at times. I have worked with some very high profile clients and companies, some of whom were, at times, savaged by certain quarters of the media. Press Releases always went out to everyone in the business. There were never any pariahs.
RMBC seem to be forgetting one of the Golden Rules - It's nothing personal, simply business! They need to get a grip and start acting with some decorum.
Our principles for media communication
Our communication with the media will be:
Open – honest and transparent
Consistent – in message and in delivery
Responsive – proactive and timely
Accurate – factual and correct
Accessible – inclusive and representative
Legal.
Our objectives
“The main purposes of local authority publicity are to increase public awareness of the services provided by the authority and the functions it performs.” Recommended Code on Local Government Publicity
The objectives of council media handling are to:
Improve people’s understanding of the work of the council and to provide information about how to access its services.
Support the delivery of the council and borough strategic objectives.
Defend the council from inaccurate and unfounded criticism by ensuring the public are informed of relevant facts.
Protect and enhance the council’s reputation as the deliverer of high quality services and as an employer of choice.
We will do this by:
Forming and maintaining positive relationships with local, regional and national media, including trade.
Having a co-ordinated approach to media handling, linking it in with wider communications activity and taking a campaign based approach wherever possible.
Taking a proactive approach to media planning, using a key events calendar to plan ahead.
Issuing media releases and responding to media enquiries in line with the agreed principles of openness, consistency, responsiveness, accuracy, accessibility and legality.
Actively promoting decisions of the council in a way that people understand.
Being clear about the legal framework within which we operate and clearly explaining roles and responsibilities to ensure the highest standards of conduct.
Maintaining portfolio links with services and with councillors where relevant to enable a good flow of information to and from the media.
Ensuring fair and accurate representation of the council and the borough
across all communication. This includes ensuring adequate and non stereo-typical representation of all communities in the borough.
Maintaining accurate records relating to media contact.
Challenging inaccurate reporting in the media and reporting suspected media leaks/breaches of the code of conduct (officer and member) to the council’s Monitoring Officer.
Using media enquiries as a way to drive service improvements where appropriate.
Working with services, partners and members to develop media awareness.
Continually developing the skills and knowledge of staff in the Corporate Communications Team.
Monitoring our performance and taking feedback to ensure continuous improvement.
This is RMBC's Media Policy.
It is simply not on for them to make a decision to deny access to press releases etc. to members of the local media. They can not pick and chose to suit themselves.
If they have a media protocol problem with Rochdale Online they need to seek to resolve it not spit their dummies out. According to their own policy the Council's Monitoring Officer should have been involved. That being the case there should be some written record of what has happened here including who decided this action was necessary and their reasons for doing so. Rochdale Online should have been informed accordingly with the main objective being to resolve matters wherever possible.
Even if it was not possible to resolve matters to RMBCs satisfaction they should still seek to build cordial relationships with ALL sections of the media regardless.
I have a PR background and experience dealing with the press who I know can be extremely difficult at times. I have worked with some very high profile clients and companies, some of whom were, at times, savaged by certain quarters of the media. Press Releases always went out to everyone in the business. There were never any pariahs.
RMBC seem to be forgetting one of the Golden Rules - It's nothing personal, simply business! They need to get a grip and start acting with some decorum.
Spartacus- Space Cadet
- Posts : 325
Join date : 2012-09-05
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