PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN RETURNS

The specialized study programme was organised by a consultancy organisation known as Public Administration International with headquarters in London and Mr. Daramy's attendance was sponsored by the British Department for International Development (DFID).

The programme reviewed traditional and new media outlets; opinion polling and focus group consultation; government priorities in managing public information and political party involvement; media priorities and public interest as well as freedom of information, with particular reference to the United Kingdom experience.

The programme comprised briefings and lectures, discussions with experts in the field and visits to a range of organisations including key government departments.

Asked what will be his most immediate pre-occupation, Mr Kanji Daramy retorted that managing the interface between government and the media would be a key issue as the worlds of government and of media need each other. He stressed that generally the relationship between governments and the media has to be properly managed for the general public to be better and more objectively informed about government policies, actions and activities.

On traditional and new outlets for public information, the Presidential Spokesman intimated that even in the face of new revolutionary media such as digital broadcasting, internet and e-mail, the traditional modes of the print, radio and television media still remain valid and important. But he further indicated that attempts to modernise the media should be embarked upon within a collaborative framework, involving strategic partnerships between the various stakeholder groups.

Referring to the Presidential Website (www.statehouse-sl.org) as a medium through which the President's office informs and interacts with its various constituencies and publics, spokesman Kanji Daramy said other government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) would be encouraged to have official e-mail addresses in the first place, logged to Sierratel's server, in order to facilitate electronic communication among MDAs and between them and other local and international entities.

"We live in an information age," he said, "and we must take advantage of new opportunities in order to forge ahead. Organisational websites have become a fashion to get powerful messages, images and information disseminated to the public. E-government is now a reality and should be part of any drive and co-operation towards capacity building and institutional support for MDA's."

-End-