Town media relations policy a mix of sharing and withholding

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

 At the Nov. 10 meeting of Taber town council, item 7.4 on the agenda addressed the Town’s media relations policy which was due for its three-year renewal in December. Administration brought the item forward to coincide with the result of the 2025 communications audit.

 The general overview stated that the Town of Taber “recognizes that building trust and mutually beneficial relationships with the media is a necessary link to fostering precise, balanced, and fair reporting and to allow the Town to convey key information and protect and enhance the Town’s reputation.”

Given that goal, the policy’s intent is to provide clarification on council’s and administration’s roles in regards to media relations. The Town defines media as all methods of traditional news media (print, radio, and television), online media (websites), and also includes social media (blogs, Facebook, X, YouTube, etc.).

 Some of the new guidelines include policies like “all media requests are to be made to the communications manager…for management, triaging, and follow-through” and “for all media requests concerning decisions of council, the mayor shall be the spokesperson unless otherwise designated by a resolution or bylaw of council.”

 Another states that, “For all media requests concerning administration, the communications manager or CAO shall be the spokesperson unless either party designates a member of administration from the list of authorized spokespersons from the corresponding procedure.”

 Town of Taber employees are not to speak to the media on matters relating to Town business or personnel unless given express permission by the CAO or the communications manager, or they are a designated spokesperson.

 Exceptions to the rules are listed along with standard policy guidelines for situations like collective agreements and negotiations, ethics violations, personnel issues, and budget information.

 Additionally, the policy prohibits any spokesperson, administrative staff, or committee member from providing information to the media “off the record,” or without prior consent from either the mayor (or designate) or the CAO (or designate) for information that has not yet been publicly shared by the municipality or is not allowed to be disclosed.

 The Taber Police Service and Police Commission are exempt from the policy, as their own policies and procedures take precedence for their service. The same goes for any activation of the emergency coordination centre or emergency response plan. In those circumstances, the information officer guides the process.

 From a media standpoint the document is relevant; for the public, perhaps lesser so. However, it underscores the fact that flow of information from government to the media and public is tightly controlled – with the stated goal of providing key information while protecting or enhancing the Town’s reputation.

 Minimal discussion occurred about the policy changes and council approved it unanimously.