MUMBAI: 15th December 2004 -- Fr Ivo Coelho has recently promulgated a Communications Policy in his province which may be of interest to people in the EAO Region too.  It takes up a number of the issues already hinted at in documents from the Social Communication Department over recent years.

    The Policy considers the Provincial and Local levels.  South Asia has developed Bosco Information Services (BIS) which serves the Provincial Conference for the management of information.  BIS plays its part in the province's policy by maintaining internal and external communications, media PR, media advocacy, save what touches on 'crisis communication' dealt with by other means according to the policy.  The province newsletter comes under the aegis of BIS as does the province website. There is also consideration given to training local correspondents.

    At the local level, each house appoints a correspondent.  Provision of information to outside media at local level is by way of Press Releases on routine matters only.  Copies of these are sent to the Provincial.

    At local level no press release/comment is to be made on sensitive issues.  If an occasion appears to warrant comment, contact is made with the Provincial Coordinator of SC....and the policy details further procedures.

    Crisis communication is handled directly by the Provincial or by whomsoever he appoints.  There is an explanation of what 'crisis communication' is and why it needs to be managed correctly and swiftly.

    There are also miscellaneous guidelines for situations peculiar to India: for example a 'silent period' - no interviews or comments - just before school resumes each year because Indian media tend to raise controversial issues at this time.  The idea could apply in other places too. 

    The policy encourages the visual identity of the province through use of the Logo and common templates for advertising.

    All in all a policy worth looking at.  secretary@donboscomumbai.org Mumbai would be happy to provide a copy.

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