J4 Media Relations

Background

Effective media handling helps DFID to promote its work and protect its reputation.

The Press Office is at the frontline of DFID's relationship with the media. Professional press officers handle UK and international journalists' enquiries; set up briefings and interviews; brief news stories to newspapers and broadcasters; and offer media handling advice to ministers and officials. They act as official spokespeople for DFID.

In the UK, DFID ministers are usually the public face of the department. They give interviews on-camera and are quoted by name in media coverage. Occasionally officials will give background briefing on particular subjects but these will always be coordinated by the Press Office.

In overseas offices it's not always practical to involve ministers, and Heads of Office can act as named spokespeople in briefings and interviews. However, if the UK or international press will be involved briefings and interviews must be agreed and coordinated with the DFID Press Office. If the issue being discussed is known to be particularly newsworthy or controversial in the UK, the Press Office should agree the interview first - just in case comments are picked up internationally. However, all other local media work should be agreed with the Head of Office, rather than with Press Office.
For all enquiries, call the Press Office on +44 (0) 7023 0600 - a 24-hour pager service is in operation for emergencies.