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Comments on The industry image of Government Communicators

95% of Government Communicators should be fired! by Producer

I'm a producer of a live daily talkshow and having to deal with government communicators is one of my worst nightmares, I wonder what exactly are they getting paid to do, it's not just them it's the political principals as well. These guys are very paranoid, immediately they hear "media" they run for cover and expect to be transferred to seven thousand people in the same department because this one tells you to speak to this one and it goes on and on...what makes it even more mind-boggling for me is that my show is more informational than anything, we are not interested in people inefficiencies and scandals - I constantly have to say we are no "3rd Degree".

And to think that Government Communications' CEO is Joel Netshitenzhe one of the brightest minds I know, there's also no cohesion between GCIS and different departments - I think.

I honestly wonder what government communicators do, so why would a self-respecting PR agency want someone coming from government? PR Agencies work under pressure where people are expected to have stuff in the media on a daily or weekly basis - there's no such pressure in govt!

But there is a lady in Dept of Health's communications who's really been outstanding, Charity Bhengu and was a health reporter before.

My e-mail notifies me when someone has read what I sent them, the guy at the ministry of labour (comms) kept telling me he was not in the office and hadn't read my e-mail when I have a notification in my inbox telling my e-mail had been read! And that was not the first time!

I wanted him to facilitate an interview from their dept to be a show where we were discussing "Disabilities in the Workplace", nobody was going to be grilled - we just wanted an official voice around the disable people's rights as far as employment is concerned. One can only wonder how many times government miss out on opportunities to clarify their messages all because they are too paranoid!

Next time I might just name and shame them - civil servants who behave like they're executives!

28 Jun 2005 19:28 Reply, Report this comment

Thats the tip of the ice berg .. by P

Trying to talk to people who have some influence in any industry is just plain frustrating. Ever tried to track a media planner or buyer down and get 5 minutes of their time ?

Who do these people think they are ! why not take 5 minutes to hear what people have to say , you never know you might benefit from it . Government or not , being able to take time to listen and actually hear what people have to offer,is the starting point in any interaction!

29 Jun 2005 08:17 Reply, Report this comment

As an insider I agree! by Walt Jabsco

I got my current job when opportunities were few and far between and amiss the advice of former colleagues and friends, of being "branded", took the job in Govt Comms anyway. This, as I have indicated, seriously impedes your mobility to other sectors. But there are some Government Communicators that are really putting effort and time into their communication and interaction with their audiences.

The problem is the “bad apples” that are tarnishing our image as professional communicators cruelly.

The problems, at Departmental level, usually start with the employment of the Chief Director. This creature is mostly from the newspaper industry, at news editor or even lower level and usually, to impress Government to appoint him/her, gives favourable coverage to a certain Department. The person is appointed and the shit hits the fan…Usually they don’t have a clue of how to do communication planning and are totally beleaguered at the prospect of managing projects that don’t end the same …They are, as expected totally overwhelmed and see how long they can ride the gravy train, be rude to their former journo colleagues, buy an expensive car and disappear just to be replaced by another nincompoop!

No disrespect intended to the self respecting journos out there, you know you are yourselves bearing the brunt of sub-standard Government Comms.

What to do, what to do..?

29 Jun 2005 13:39 Reply, Report this comment

I've been there by Fed Up

I can relate to what you are saying. I've dealt with Charity on more than one occassion and she is very helpful when it comes to providing me with information.

And the man from labour communications, is it perhaps Page Boikanyo? Gosh, because I sure as hell have had problems getting him to answer simple queries I've had. I'm still waiting for a response for an article I attempted to write a month ago but had to drop it because government communicators don't know what happens in their own departments.

They are only a mechanism of discouraging journalists to write about issues relating to government (good or bad). I think all newspapers/publications should just stress the fact that 'government' refuses to answer questions about certain issues and then the communicators can take the heat from their bosses.

And the fluff they send out is incredible. Someone should actually check if they have the necessary qualifications to write a decent release.

29 Jun 2005 21:04 Reply, Report this comment

Coming from a reporter???? by Roughneck Gov Comm

Tsk, some allegations about being unprofessional coming from people who send me the following as a media query..."The complainant claims he was accused of stealing a state vehicle. He stated that he was still on leave when he received the bad news.

He was taken for hearing where he was found not guilty but his worry, he was not informed by his seniors.

He added that he was moved from **** and now everyone think he is thief and he is no longer free.
As ******** we would like to know the results of the case and if is possible that he can be taken back to ***** ****."

But on the other hand you get the truly professional reporters as well. Thank you 702, SAFM (most of them), Beeld and the odd reporter from Star.

30 Jun 2005 12:46 Reply, Report this comment

Just do your job by Fed Up

Reporters from different newspapers have different briefs. Your job, my good man, is to give a response to queries. Getting to speak to one the government officials is like trying to Queen Elizabeth a smack on the cheek - impossible!

30 Jun 2005 15:20 Reply, Report this comment

Love Life is a prime example

One only has to look at the criminal waste of time and money being exerted on Love Life to answer your question. How on earth can any one in a government communication department be taken seriously, when such a serious subject is treated so appallingly?
Then there is the ludicrous tender process, where you have no idea what is really required, who is likely to make a decision, when and on what criteria. Bluntly - the process is made much harder than it needs to be. We have been there and would prefer not to in future!

29 Jun 2005 15:55 Reply, Report this comment

It's called P-R-O-C-E-D-U-R-E

The one thing that will always be different about Government Communication and Private Sector Communication, is the procedures to be followed.In the Public Sector,things can't just happen over night or when the media wants info.As much as they have their deadlines,we also have ours.

I am a proud Government Communicator and believe you me,there's more to us than you'll ever acknowledge.Don't
'HOLLYFY" the private sector.It's not all that good,half the communicators i liase with envy us Government Communicators,especially in terms of exposure and experience.

The day that Private sector officials respect the public sector,only then will they see how much good we are doing.

30 Jun 2005 10:26 Reply, Report this comment

It's called W-I-L-L-I-N-G by Louis

Two things.
Yes procedures are important, I know that because I'm a media relations officer for a very demanding department, but procedures are becoming the hiding place for the unable and the unwilling. I think we have turned into lazy communicators because the media allows us to get away with it.

The second thing is, send us up to standard reporters and you will get up to standard Government communicators.

30 Jun 2005 10:38 Reply, Report this comment

Pride by Fed Up

You obviously do not take any pride in what you do or otherwise you would not be acting like a child. I'm a professional when it comes to my career and I'm not going to slack because government communicators arent' "up to standard". That is a very lame excuse to hide your incompetence.

30 Jun 2005 15:31 Reply, Report this comment

tsk...tsk... by Louis

If you can read, fat-up old son :-)(see we can even be sarcastic some times), then you will see I'm not saying that there is not a problem with Government Communicators, I'm just saying there are two sides to the problem.

Just as the media is still struggling with transformation and juniorization of newsrooms, so are we. Maybe if you phone me, we can set up a little get together, have a cup of coffee (office hours you know)don't want to work overtime, and you know the traffic is soooo bad in the afternoons.

But please no GCIS involement or any Head of Communication involvement.

Leave a message and we can discuss it. Your account of course.. he he he

1 Jul 2005 05:36 Reply, Report this comment

P-R-O-C-E-D-U-R-E S-M-E-D-U-R-E

Procedure is what people who are inacapable of making a valid decision all by themselves, (in case they actually have to be accountable) hide behind. Any body worth their salt gets on with it and lives with the consequences. Be a big brave person and get it.

30 Jun 2005 11:15 Reply, Report this comment

Procedures? by kleendin, brandure

TYPICAL GOVERNMENT TYPE OPERATION: Needs to consult a manual for everything.

TYPICAL PROFESSIONAL COMPANY: Doing things in a logical order happens naturally.

So ja, if you feel at home in a "procedures" type environment, you'll become very frustated in a typical go-getter type company, you won't know where to start.

30 Jun 2005 13:54 Reply, Report this comment

You have deadlines? Who would have thought? by Fed Up

I respect the fact that you have deadlines as well. But how much work could you possibly get for media liaisons at government to take up to three or four weeks to respond?! That is ridiculous! And the "I'm in a meeting right now. Will call you back" thing is getting really old. You should think up a new excuse at a general meeting for government communications.

30 Jun 2005 15:24 Reply, Report this comment

Government Communications need to be re-looked by WJ

Personally I think that Government Communications need to be re-looked in an open and honest fashion. From the GCIS to Local Government level and honest questions need to be asked. Starting with: Is Government Communications effective?
From this discussion one can look deeper to see where the problem is, especially with regards to the GCIS, what are they doing to better liaison with regular communication officers at Departmental level? The Government Communication Forum is also noting more than a conclave of Chief Directors, greedy has been journalists that put capitalistic gain before ANYTHING else. These socalled Senior Govt Communicators rarely gives feed back to their staff... Perhaps they think that they are to important to speak to them, and so it goes on.
The reality is that the GCIS isn’t doing half the work it's suppose to do and they are failing communicators in Departments miserably. There’s no cohesion, no quality control and no standards.

Sometimes you wonder how some senior Government Communicators got their jobs and what criteria are used for their appointment… I suppose that the one that's kissing the best butt will be the most successful candidate at the end of the day.

We must also remember that some Government Communicators are really trying but their image is being dragged through the mud by those who are greedy, unqualified and clueless!

Clear out the rot first and the rest MIGHT follow…Perhaps the image of Government Communicators are beyond repair..? Any advice?

30 Jun 2005 16:35 Reply, Report this comment

standard of reporting

I fail to see how complaints about "up to standard reporters" are relevant.
Sometimes it is impossible to respond to include government's plan of action or view on a certain topic as they simply never come back to numerous calls/emails etc.
Even making a simple poicy enquiry is (sometimes) impossible, as to find a government rep who is willing to speak and willing to respond to press enquiries is a rarity.
Representing all sides is therefore not always a reality for the media!!

30 Jun 2005 16:47 Reply, Report this comment

amateurs by Always right

The media and so-called other private companies are not doing a bad job, for amateurs. If I ever get another query from a so-called professional who can't understand the difference between strategy and tactics I'm going to puke.

Yeah, the government is slow, but at least we know we are slow. We are not living in the illusion that we are these fast hot paced people with all the knowledge, bright ideas but not much to show for it.

1 Jul 2005 14:50 Reply, Report this comment

Amateur - what world are you living in?

Oh pahleeeze!

4 Jul 2005 09:07 Reply, Report this comment

Thought as much ..... by Always Right

Is that why so many of our professionals can't cut it in the real world? Always looking for an excuse, and who better to blame then the Government? Grow up, and make it work for yourself.

4 Jul 2005 12:33 Reply, Report this comment

Alaways right - you don't get it

Just look at how many grammatic errors there are in the original piece. I rest my case.

4 Jul 2005 15:00 Reply, Report this comment

Failures by Fed Up

Isn't it your job to explain to reporters the difference (if any) between strategy and tactics? Don't complain and just do it. When you want us to go on an imbizo with some government official making empty promises, then the contact from government communicators is overwhelming. Let's face it. Government want the media to push its agenda but when it comes to answering the hard-hitting questions, you fail miserably!!

9 Jul 2005 09:50 Reply, Report this comment

You aint seen nothing yet by Gatvol

Government communications sucks big time. I am an intern at a government communication department and I have been wondering how the hell my boss got her post. She is incompetent, stupid, childish the least goes on.

First of all she has no idea what a communication strategy is, identifying target audiences and the communication value of some things done here seems to escape me and this list also goes on, now tell should I be getting me training from someone like that. She has no understanding of public relations and when I try to help with my two cent ideas she tells me that I should not come to her with my technikon ideas, this is the real world. Like she would no what the fuck they taught me in technikon. She has no degree in communications, no experience in communications and she works for one of the most important government departments, dont want to mention names they might just shoot me down.

Government should just forget the comm department and use agencies for their communications.

SO I AGREE FULLY, GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENTS ARE NOTHING BUT A WASTE OF OFFICE SPACE AND MONEY.

1 Aug 2005 14:55 Reply, Report this comment

Gov Comm was meant to level the playing fields of bringing the news to the people by Leon Pillay

Most of the comments are possibly from Journo's who work for white media, they think white and write white. Yes they will always believe that anything black and that of which is government is inferior. Your question amazingly makes me wonder, how someone like yourself would have not figured the differance of South Africas Print Media and especailly Newspaper barons, bosses, operating offices target their markets to the elite, rich who naturally support the sponsering advertsers of their mediums which look more like a shpping basket rather than information that empoers our people.

4 Jul 2005 22:49 Reply, Report this comment

I take it... by Jim

you're not a writer. Your grammar and spelling are atrocious. If that makes me a racist by saying that then I guess I am.

6 Jul 2005 16:22 Reply, Report this comment

Here they go again…these arrogant journo’s! by Judge Dread

Why is it that journalists get pissed off when anyone tries to discuss an issue in this Forum? There’s always a collective tantrum and our “godlike” journo’s are off on a tangent again. Huffing and puffing... Oh please! Who are you to say anything about Government Comms if you are just too eager to get into it? Perhaps it’s jealously or perhaps you realise that any fool with standard five can write! YES, it’s true seeing that you’ve got the luxury of a SUB to “panel-beat” your scrawl before going to print! Lets face it most of you got an incomplete qualification only focusing on a small portion of the communication field. Who gave you the right anyway to even attempt to say anything about PR or Communication Science! Rather concentrate on your next “scoop” or your hangover tomorrow morning.

I also get the feeling that a lot of old pale males from the apartheid era press, who feel threatened in an open and more representative media environment, are posting on this forum. You are just bitter, get over it or immigrate to Australia.

Perhaps some South African journalists are suffering from a serious inferiority complex that’s why they always have to justify their profession!

7 Jul 2005 20:41 Reply, Report this comment

Of course I'd love to work for Govt Comms by TV Producer

I've never worked a 9-5 job in my life and each day has its drama and with my energy levels I'd hope they'd rub onto everyone because to everyone who prides themselves in facing the trust no matter how harsh it may know that most govt communicators are inefficient (putting it very mildly). This, I've experienced more than a couple of times. However, like I mentioned earlier some are co-operative, it was really refreshing to see Dept of Correctional services comms people coming to the party last week - I received a call at 10pm after having spoken to more than six different people, all that I didn't mind because I got what I wanted eventually. But there should be no room for complacency, dead wood should go where they belong - trash!

8 Jul 2005 13:54 Reply, Report this comment

Anyone can by Fed Up

I'm neither pale nor male and yet I have this urge to defend my profession. And yes, any idiot can write. But then again, any idiot can answer a phone and forward a few emails from the boss to a journalist too.

9 Jul 2005 10:01 Reply, Report this comment

Get a life judge dread by Gatvol

Watchin hardcopy and scandal does not make you an expert on journos. I seriously hope you are not in any senior level level in a comm department u are a total disgrace then if you are, no let me apologise the person who had the nerve to hire u is the disgraceful one.

1 Aug 2005 15:19 Reply, Report this comment

i goes without saying by appauled

this journalists's critics are not at all mature and professional,instead of coming with a way forward for both to have mutual working environment, they are busy critising them. some of them even have the decency to look at the spellings,how boring.you are not helping the situation at all.this is also your govt.

25 Aug 2005 11:23 Reply, Report this comment

I agree! by Judge Dread

I agree! South Africa is not a suburb of London. We're African and proud of it. Stick your Queens English where the sun doesn’t shine.

Aluta Continua!

8 Jul 2005 14:05 Reply, Report this comment

You are an idiot! by Fed Up

I don't see how you can say that the comments made by journos in this forum is being driven by "white media". It makes absolutely no sense. Let's put it this way.

I once did a story on disability. I contacted various government departments to provide me with some stats on how many people with disabilities they employ as well as what types of disabilities these individuals have. The aim was to write a piece showing the state of empowerment with regard to disability in South Africa, not just by private companies but by government departments that try to enforce the policies in other spheres. And would you like to know what I got from government communicators? Nothing. My story had to be postponed TWICE because of their lack of professionalism. So, you tell me how trying to write about empowerment can possibly be some form of "white media" plan to undermine black people.

Personallty, I think you are a complete idiot and because you cannot make a valid point, you bring race into the issue. Twit!

9 Jul 2005 09:57 Reply, Report this comment

Happy by Oy

I'm so happy to refer all these intelectually challenged reporters to the Guy Berger article on the News24 site.

6 Jul 2005 18:41 Reply, Report this comment

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