Working with the media

Tower Hamlet’s Media Communications Team handles all media enquiries to the council. The team provides accurate and timely responses to the enquiries with the aim of promoting its services and public profile whilst protecting the council’s reputation

The Media Communications Team also works proactively with all media by encouraging positive media coverage of its work.

Principles

Tower Hamlets Council is committed to clear and effective communication with residents. This is based on the premise that all communications will be open and honest. The media plays a valuable role in informing stakeholders about the council’s work, helping to ensure that the council is accountable and that its decision-making processes are open and transparent.

Legal context

The Media Communications Team operates within the legal framework set out in the Local Government Act 1986 and the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity which also has the force of law. These ensure that council publicity informs rather than persuades people to hold a particular viewpoint. They also stipulate that local authorities should not publish any material that appears to affect public support for a particular party.

Responding to media enquiries

All media enquiries must be directed to the Media Communications Team, which provides a 24-hour response service.

The Media Communications Team aims to respond to all enquiries within the media’s deadline.

All media enquiries are logged on a database; as are the final response given to the enquiries.

Communications Officers work closely with colleagues and elected members on information and responses given to media.

All proactive media releases and statements are also logged on the database and published on the council’s website.

All schools must act within the legal framework set out in the Local Government Act and the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity.

Contacting the Media Communications Team

The Media Communications Team is based at:

Tower Hamlets Town Hall,
Mulberry Place,
5 Clove Crescent,
London E14 2BG.

To contact the Media Communications Team during regular working hours (9am – 6pm), please call 020 7364 4969 / 4389.

Media Communications Team out of hours number:

A Communications Officer is available 24 / 7 / 365 for urgent media enquiries on 07852 273984.

The Media Communications Team generic email address is: communications@towerhamlets.gov.uk but it is always advisable to talk to a Communications Officer directly in the first instance

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