ROTHENBURGER – How governments self-promote instead of inform

ARE OUR PUBLIC BODIES in the information business, or the propaganda business?

The answer might seem obvious but their way of going about it can be annoying. Every time one of them issues a news release, the reader (especially the media) has to wade through a bunch of junk wordage about how great the particular organization is that’s doing the talking.

Almost none of this stuff ever makes it into print or online because it’s irrelevant, but it does take some time to edit out.

For example, a couple of weeks ago, City Hall issued a release about the resolution of differences between the City and CUPE over the restructuring of the bylaws enforcement department into the community services department.

Here’s some of what you didn’t see from that news release, which was headlined “City of Kamloops Moving Forward With Community Services Officers”:

“The City of Kamloops is committed to building a safe, vibrant and resilient community and ensuring our workforce is equipped with the training and resources needed to serve Kamloops residents.

“The restructuring of the Community Services Division and the enhanced training provided to our CSOs is responsive to the significant changes seen in our community and the increased requirements put on municipalities to respond to those changes, particularly as they relate to crime and social disorder.”

That was the opening. The release ended with this:

“By working together to move forward, we continue to prioritize the safety of our community for residents, businesses, visitors and employees.”

Well, I should hope so.

On the same day, the Kamloops RCMP detachment issued a release about seizures of drugs and weapons. It was big news, important news. But mixed in with the facts was what has become a common practice of the police force tooting its own horn.

“The Kamloops RCMP Detachment remains steadfast in our strategic priorities by targeting individuals involved in drug trafficking, weapons offences, and violence,” said Supt. Jeff Pelley in the media release.

“Through collaboration with local units and UGET, we strive to address the root causes of crime while upholding the principles of justice in the pursuit of an even safer community. The dedication of multiple units and officers reflects our ongoing efforts to combat serious offences and further enhance public trust and safety.”

This one was more self-congratulatory than usual, with a follow-up quote from Targeted Enforcement Unit Sgt. Kevin McIntyre, who said, in part, “We are committed to working with all of our law enforcement partners to ensure as safe a community as possible.”

And we would expect nothing less from a police force. Next quoted was Sgt. Brenda Winpenny, a media relations officer for the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, who assured us the unit is working “to fulfill our mandate in reducing the incidents of gang-related criminal activity and associated violence that threatens the safety of our communities in British Columbia.”

Yeah, I’m quite sure that’s what we’re paying you for.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District sticks more closely to the facts but can’t resist informing us how thrilled or excited they are about its announcements. It was “proud” to announce a reading program, “thrilled” about a new movie being filmed here, “delighted” about a new mini library opening up, “excited” about another announcement and “pleased” about a staff hire.

No level of government or public agency, of course, can match the provincial government for pure volume of news releases. Day after day, week after week, the Eby government churns them out by the hundreds.

The government releases are only slightly more subtle than other agencies about self-praise, but nevertheless skillfully buries the lead and begins by patting itself on the back.

Friday’s release on drugs in public places, for example, was headlined ‘B.C. moves to ban drug use in public places’ with the additional assurance, ‘taking more steps to keep people safe.’

High up in the story, Premier David Eby begins with, “Keeping people safe is our highest priority.”

And one more example from City Hall. Increasingly, it seems, news releases from our municipal government are created out of thin air simply to tell us what a fine job is being done for the taxpayers and to assure us the council is working together to get things done.

 A Feb. 29 release started with, “City council is unified in their dedication to a safe, vibrant, and resilient community and continues to advocate for action from other levels of government to support Kamloops.”

It all makes more work for the media that receive this stuff, because they have to edit out the piffle and find what might be newsworthy, which is usually found several paragraphs into the statement.

It’s quite the waste of time and money for all concerned.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor.  He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.