Opinion: From our Readers - No plans to 'count press releases'

PR Week UK 06-Nov-09

Alex Aiken of Westminster Council says the UK public audit bodies want to count 'the number of press releases issued' by public bodies. None of us wants to introduce a measure of this kind.

The NAO, Audit Commission and Audit Scotland are consulting on how
public bodies might establish and voluntarily adopt a measure of the
value for money provided by communication services. Westminster Council

has been involved in these consultations.

The work aims to understand performance and value for money of public
sector comms, and to capture new ideas from talented and experienced
comms professionals around the country to establish the efficiency and
effectiveness of public sector communications.

There is no simple single answer, but anyone wanting to help with the
consultation can do so by contacting Jim Lakie at
jim.lakie@audit-scotland.gov.uk or on 0131 625 1862.

Barry Lester, head of media, National Audit Office, and Elly Button,
head of news, Audit Commission