Media releases can still be distributed during the election period as long as they only contain information about general Council services and activities as or information about ie ‘business usual’ the election process. The CEO, or an officer determined by the CEO, will be the only spokesperson quoted in media releases during the election period. All media releases distributed during the election period must be approved by the CEO or Manager Marketing and Communications and the relevant Director. Copies of weekly media releases will Council’s continue to be distributed to Councillors during the election period. Not permitted: Media releases that include reference to specific Councillors either sitting or retiring or information about a topic or policy that is an election issue are not permitted under any circumstance. Under clause 10.4.2 of the Code of Conduct for Councillors, no Council staff member may make any public statement that could be construed as influencing the election. This does not include statements of clarification that are approved by the Chief Executive Officer. In addition, Councillors must not use their position as an elected representative or their access to Council staff and resources to assist them in gaining media attention on any issue. Scenario: A candidate has been reported in the media raising concerns about lack of investment into Council’s repairing roads in a particular suburb. Can Council issue a media release about the commencement of construction of a new road in that same suburb in response to the candidates allegations? No this would be viewed as an election issue and – any comment on the issue in a media release may influence the outcome of the election. However if the media were to ask questions of Council in relation the issue raised by the candidate then Council can provide a statement that is factual in its content and talks about the total of funds spent in repairing roads in that area. Can Councillors issue their own media releases during the election period? Councillors, like other candidates can issue their own media release provided: No assistance or advice was provided by Council staff in preparation of the media release Is it not on Council letterhead or branded with
Media releases can still be distributed during the election period as long as they only contain information about general Council services and activities ie ‘business as usual’ or information about the election process. The CEO, or an officer determined by the CEO, will be the only spokesperson quoted in media releases during the election period. All media releases distributed during the election period must be approved by the CEO or Manager Marketing and Communications and the relevant Director. Copies of Council’s weekly media releases will continue to be distributed to Councillors during the election period. Not permitted: Media releases that include reference to specific Councillors either sitting or retiring or information about a topic or policy that is an election issue are not permitted under any circumstance. Under clause 10.4.2 of the Code of Conduct for Councillors, no Council staff member may make any public statement that could be construed as influencing the election. This does not include statements of clarification that are approved by the Chief Executive Officer. In addition, Councillors must not use their position as an elected representative or their access to Council staff and resources to assist them in gaining media attention on any issue. Scenario: A candidate has been reported in the media raising concerns about Council’s lack of investment into repairing roads in a particular suburb. Can Council issue a media release about the commencement of construction of a new road in that same suburb in response to the candidates allegations? No – this would be viewed as an election issue and any comment on the issue in a media release may influence the outcome of the election. However if the media were to ask questions of Council in relation the issue raised by the candidate then Council can provide a statement that is factual in its content and talks about the total of funds spent in repairing roads in that area. Can Councillors issue their own media releases during the election period? Councillors, like other candidates can issue their own media release provided: No assistance or advice was provided by Council staff in preparation of the media release Is it not on Council letterhead or branded with