Uncle Joe Stalin Award for Open and Democratic Government
Goes to...
Salford City Council
Last July, Salford Council rubber stamped its new Communications Strategy with the aim to "effectively manage relationships with the press, broadcast and digital media to enhance perceptions of the council and the city"...
It would also go well beyond that, "to become content publishers", with "Digital News Instead of Media Relations"...Like, 1984, eat yer heart out...
Measures to push its own propaganda included "Tailoring communications for and targeting to specific audiences", "Effectively using behavioural science for reinforcing or changing behaviour" and using social media "as a source of intelligence, feeding into communications strategy".
'Behavioural science' is the latest buzz approach in advertising and public health circles, using 'nudge' tactics to make people act in a certain way. It's based on original theories of psychology made popular by BF Skinner, who trained pigeons to be re-conditioned, although it's been developed and streamlined into a science in itself that even has a Behaviour Wheel of Change that includes communications and marketing.
The Council strategy added that "All communications will be targeted at audience segments as effectively as possible using direct communications"..."Each campaign will be based on an intelligence led approach using existing data, with clearly targeted activities".
The strategy also stated a lot about "protecting and enhancing the reputation of the council", "improved perceptions" and how it will "Increase positive media coverage in articles - measured in column inches online and print."
It also has much to say about "Being transparent and open" and "Delivering clear, consistent, transparent, honest and timely information...", which, in the experience of the Salford Star, leaves a lot to be desired...
As we commented in July, 'At the moment the Council has not responded to Freedom of Information requests within legal timeframes. There is a complete lack of detailed financial information within its reports, many of which are hidden under Part 2 sections of committee meetings (ie secret). Even its own Scrutiny Panel overruled the Council on a recent Part 2 report, and allowed the public into a meeting...And there's absolutely nothing in the Communications Strategy about how Salford Council will allow itself to be held to account by the media.
'There is a small section on 'Who we speak to...Local media, including BBC Manchester, MEN and community media'...except that Salford City Council hasn't spoken to the only 'community media' in the city - ie the Salford Star - for over six years!'
As we concluded at the time, the Communications Strategy is about ramping up Salford Council's own one way self-glorifying propaganda...
Welcome to the stuff of Mr Stalin and Mr Orwell's wet dreams. So, ladies and gentlemen, we know you're gagging for it...Now, flash your ignorance and enjoy your bliss for the winner of the 2019 Uncle Joe Stalin Award for Open and Democratic Government...
Salford City Coooooouuuncil!!!
If someone from the Council would like to make an acceptance speech, please use the comments box below...
See also this year's other winners of the Salford Star Mary Burns Awards...
The Rome Wasn't Built In Two Decades Award Salford City Council click here
Wizard of Oz Scarecrow Award Hazel Blears click here
Uncle Joe Stalin Award for Open and Democratic Government Part 2 Salford City Council click here
Feed The Rich Award English Cities Fund click here
Local Government Scandal of the Decade Award Salford City Council click here
U-turn of the Year Award Salford City Council click here
'We Might Be Bulldozing Swinton But We're Not Telling You' Award Salford City Council click here
Fat Cats of the Year Award Salford City Council and GMCA click here
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