Newcastle City Council has a press office within the Communications Unit which should be the first port of call for all media enquiries. Trained and experienced staff are able to respond to all calls and where appropriate arrange interviews with members and senior officers.

The council's media policy reflects the organisation's policy aims and the way employees and members are expected to behave as well as the culture we strive to achieve.

The media policy is therefore to be:

• Open
• Transparent
• Honest
• Proactive and assertive
• Helpful to the media in facilitating photograph opportunities, interviews and other reasonable requests.

The Press Office will:

• Promote the reputation of the organisation
• Respond quickly and effectively to media enquiries
• Respect the confidential nature of information which is retained by the council on individual cases or other matters which are officially specified as confidential.