CDA MEDIA POLICY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY   The primary objective of this policy is to build and protect the integrity and reputation of the Christian Democratic Alliance by establishing the necessary principles to be followed by authorised and designated spokespersons and by all CDA members for public engagement through the media.   Such principles will help to avoid dissemination of incorrect information and public expression of uninformed views and help facilitate the flow of information between the CDA, the news media and the general public, while ensuring that the CDA is consistently well positioned and well represented in the media. INTRODUCTION   The CDA is committed to and recognises the right of the general public and the news media to be accurately informed about matters of public interest regarding the party, it’s policies and the work it does as South Africa’s voice for Christian Democracy.   The CDA also recognises the importance of the media as a major strategic communication partner and channel through which we can reach our stakeholders and keep them constantly informed of our critical role in supporting the country’s democracy and Efforts in establishing Biblical governance. This policy is intended to coordinate and systematically guide all interactions between the CDA and the media and to ensure that the release of information meets the reasonable needs of the general public and the media, thus providing the media with accurate information while promoting and protecting the CDA’s interests, including its reputation and image.   Uncoordinated media interaction results in inconsistent messages being disseminated and may lead to unnecessary controversy and possible conflict with stakeholders and the electorate.   The policy aims to help build and protect the integrity of the CDA by ensuring that the party’s designated spokespeople constantly convey consistent and factual messages when they inform the public through the media. Such guidelines will help to avoid dissemination of incorrect information and public expression of uninformed views.   All media activities within the CDA have to comply with the provisions of this policy in conjunction with the party’s media procedural documents. To Top POLICY ESSENTIALS   The strategic objectives of this media policy are To ensure that all communications coming from the CDA are consistent, well managed and in support of the CDA’s constitutional mandate, strategic goals and vision, taking into account the operational requirements and interests of the various CDA structures;   To outline responsibilities of designated CDA personnel during their interactions with the media; and    To help guide and manage the institution’s public interventions (through the media) that might affect the party’s reputation, image and brand and growth. The CDA Principles of Dealing with the Media   The Christian Democratic Alliance’s approach when interacting with the media is: To be open, honest and factual:-  not to speculate but to base communications to the media on the actual facts as known to us  To refrain at all times from insulting, inflammatory or derogatory statements that serve no constructive or informative purpose.  To refrain from personal attacks but rather deal with the issues at hand unless it is imperative to the integrity of the communication, to expose a particular person or persons and their actions.  To be available to the media at all times – whether there is good or bad news to be communicated  To be proactive in assisting the media to uncover , expose or publicise issues of interest to the public.  To be positively reactive to issues in that we will adopt an approach of being ready with a statement/comment on issues that the media and electorate might find of importance  To maintain a mutual understanding between the party and the media by providing a proactive, professional and interactive information service;      To deal with the media in an ethical way by building and managing relationships with journalistic media to ensure optimal value for the CDA whilst recognising and adhering to professional standards;  To, as far as is possible, comply with media requirements regarding deadlines, format of communications and other reasonable requirements  To assist and guide the media on CDA issues to ensure that they (the media) reflect informatively and accurately when writing and publishing their stories on the party; and  To respond quickly and appropriately to all media enquiries to limit potential damage caused by adverse or incorrect media coverage about the CDA. Scope of Policy           This policy will be incorporated into and form part of all procedural documents relating to publicity and media liaison and shall apply to : All CDA employees without exception; All CDA members without exception All firms, service providers and/or individuals who work for the CDA on a contract basis   MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES   All CDA members have an obligation, to act in the best interest of the party at all times.   Members are expected and encouraged to participate fully in the party’s consultation and decision-making processes on all CDA matters, and to refrain from debating opinions on such internal matters through the media.   Members unauthorised to comment on an issues shall refer the any media inquiries to the relevant designated person. Members are expected to address internal matters through available channels of debate and resolution and it would be considered an act of bad faith and a serious in breach of expected conduct to ; ·                Leaking or releasing any confidential CDA information/documents to the media or any external party. ·                Airing of internal grievances in public through the media. ·                Express views and opinions in the public domain with the intention of discrediting the party; or ·                Express views on behalf of the party unless authorised to do so by the CDA.   The CDA acknowledges that members have the right to participate in other organs of civil society and may at times interact with the media in their private capacity or on behalf of such social organisations (e.g. sports clubs or societies) outside their scope of political activity.   In such instances when employees discuss with the media or write about matters outside their areas of work, they should observe the following:   They should make it clear that they are speaking as private individuals and not as employees of the party; The use of CDA position titles, letterheads, email or postal addresses is prohibited in this context; and CDA property/buildings should not be used as a backdrop for filming or photographic purposes.  CONFIDENTIALITY To Top   Without detracting from the principle of transparency and integrity to the media and therefore the public, the CAD reserves the right to withhold certain confidential documents and information at it’s disposal whether such relates to an internal or public matter, where such documents or information ; Are essential parts of the CDA election and other strategies. If such matters are possibly sub-judicae or could be essential to the successful conviction of a criminal offence and it is not in the public interest to disclose them. Where the document has not been substantiated or validated as truthful and correct Where such information relates to an internal investigation, which is not yet concluded and the issuing of such information could affect the outcome of such investigation. MEDIA ACCESS   The CDA’s policy is to be helpful, open and honest at all times when working with the media and the following are the official guidelines for media access to any CDA premises/offices/functions. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in the media representative(s) being asked to leave the premises.   Media permission and access    All media should make the necessary arrangements with the relevant Media Liaison before entering any CDA office. Although the CDA welcomes the media to its premises there may be times when access is denied, for example during emergencies or crises. Members of the media should be escorted/accompanied by an CDA member at all times when they visit CDA offices. If the relevant Media Liaison is unable to be present at a media briefing or during a visit, they will duly delegate someone escort the journalistic team. Unless otherwise arranged, visiting journalists should wait in the main reception/lobby area until an CDA staff member or assigned person arrives to escort them to the arranged venue. No journalist should be allowed beyond the main reception area without an escort. This arrangement is to ensure that the media are directed to the correct interview venue(s) and that the party’s private/restricted areas and confidential documents are not exposed to unnecessary public exposure. Access to CDA organised open events   The relevant Media Liaison will make prior access arrangements for all reporters covering CDA organised open events such as media conferences or briefings. Such arrangements will allow these journalists access only to the function venue, but will prohibit them from venturing into other unauthorised areas of the party.   Permission for television crews   As television equipment could interfere with the party’s daily operations, television crews should seek permission from the relevant Media Liaison to videotape or broadcast live from CDA premises. Such permission will be granted for exterior work provided it does not interfere with daily operations. News filming and photographing of CDA premises   News crews are allowed to film and take exterior photographs of CDA premises provided they do not interfere with the CDA’s daily operations.   Permission to film interior spaces of CDA offices is required at all times.   For all television broadcasts and photographs, the venue should meet the CDA’s branding and visual standards. Other than CDA branding material, only the country’s national flag is allowed to be displayed in the venue or as backdrop during interviews at CDA offices.    Commercial, non-news filming or photographing of CDA offices   All commercial, non-news photographing or videotaping of CDA offices is prohibited unless approved by National Media Co-Ordinator. POLICY REVIEW AND EVALUATION   This policy will be reviewed as and when required, but at least once per annum prior to the National Annual General Meeting.   COORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION To Top   All CDA members will be held accountable and responsible for complying with this policy and failure to comply with the provisions of this policy is a serious disciplinary transgression and the necessary disciplinary steps will be taken against those employees who are in breach of the policy.   All party structures should ensure that their members are aware of and understand the contents of this media policy and their responsibility thereto.   The National Media Co-Ordinator shall be responsible for the review and dissemination of this policy, as well as other procedural guidelines, and also the co-ordination and implementation thereof. Comments to : Colin Fibiger: Cell – 082 413 5759, Email -  cfibiger@cda.org.za,  Fax 086 521 7466   To download PDF version of this document Right Click Here and Choose “Save As”