Press Officer's and Journalist's Cold War

As described in the lecture today, there is somewhat of a Cold War scenario, which is mutually reciprocated between a Press Officer and a Journalist. Chris used this analogy as both Press Officers and Journalists always threaten each other but neither acts, through fear of total devastation (pretty good analogy I thought). This got me thinking... at the end of the day what makes the Press Officer at the university different from any other? Nothing! What stops me ringing the University Press Officer in middle of the night if I need to? ANSWER: The fact that no one will pick the phone up on the receiving end!

One point which Chris picked up today was that the role of a Press Officer is one which is 24 hour, as news never stops. This does not appear to be the case at the University of Winchester, so why is this? Just because it is a 'job' at a university, this should not mean that someone is not available for the press to talk to at any given moment; after all it's what a Press Officer is put in place to do.

From the reports I have been hearing, the Press Officer at the University has proved nothing but a nuisance and a hindrance, making it very difficult for both me and my fellow students to obtain basic information. Refusing to comment and not getting back to people - is this what we really need at the University? A Press Officer should be as helpful as possible! Perhaps this is why Winchester University is still somewhat of an unknown entity as far as identity goes?!

Below is a Press Officer Job description. Note the first point.

Press officer:Job description and activities

A press officer acts as the official media contact for a specific public or private organisation, handling all media interest.

Typical work activities include:

• answering journalists' enquiries;


• writing press releases and news articles;


• liaising with the press and broadcast media on an everyday basis via telephone, email and networking;


• monitoring press and broadcast coverage;


• arranging press conferences, news briefings, media interviews, visits and public events;


• attending committee meetings and debates;


• keeping up to date with current issues and public opinions;


• managing the press and media in a potential crisis situation.

Is our Press Officer meeting this criteria? I think not.