Role of communication in government
Modern government needs modern communication and new technologies bring new
challenges for government communicators. The changing media landscape means
people now get their information from a rapidly expanding number of
sources.
The more traditional methods of communicating, like news and advertising,
are fast being caught up, or even over-taken by digital media, which
include blogs, on-line forums and other personal networks. All of these
provide fresh challenges for government communicators.
The Government Communication Network helps communicators do their jobs
better by giving them the tools, knowledge and support they need to meet
these new challenges.
As well as raising professional standards and improving the way that
communications are co-ordinated across departments, GCN also helps to
ensure that good communication becomes an integral part of developing and
delivering policies.
The Government Communication team works with government departments to
encourage 'genuine engagement with the public as part of policy
formation and delivery' – which was one of the recommendations set out
in the 2004 Phillis
Review.
We have also developed the new Engage programme, which will give our
communicators the training, guidance and tools they need to reach and
communicate with their audiences better. The programme encourages them to
use communications effectively to support policy makers in their work to
enhance society and improve the quality of public services for every
citizen.
