Major Programme 235. Public Information
Summary of 1998-99 proposals and comparison with previous biennium (including funds from other sources)
| SUBPROGRAMMES | REGULAR BUDGET 1998-99 (IN US DOLLARS) | OTHER SOURCES 1998-99 | ||||||||
| WORK-YRS/MTHS | STAFF COSTS | OTHER COSTS | TOTAL RESOURCES | WORK-YRS/MTHS | STAFF COSTS | OTHER COSTS | TOTAL RESOURCES | |||
| P | GS | P | GS | |||||||
| PUBLIC INFORMATION | 12/00 | 12/00 | 3,408,768 | 2,787,309 | 6,196,077 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1998-99 TOTALS | 12/00 | 12/00 | 3,408,768 | 2,787,309 | 6,196,077 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1996-97 TOTALS | 11/00 | 14/00 | 3,468,864 | 2,774,213 | 6,243,077 | - | - | - | - | - |
235.1. If the ILO is to enhance its presence and influence on the international scene, it has to make its aims and achievements known through the mass media. To gain the support of governments and other constituents for its values, it has to inform them of its accomplishments and ideas. The ILO’s activities, related as they are to issues of immediate concern to the public, such as employment, fair trade and social security, are fertile ground for media attention. This potential must be systematically exploited in order to maintain a steady flow of ILO-related, or at least ILO-relevant, articles and broadcasts in the world’s media.
235.2. The objective of this major programme is the promotion of the values of the ILO and the enhancement of its influence on public opinion and decision-makers through the dissemination of messages about its objectives, work and concerns. To achieve this objective, a news-oriented approach is adopted to address the media, using tools adapted to their needs and requirements. Press releases are issued, accompanied where possible by video footage and photographs. Press kits and feature length video programmes are also produced. To facilitate their rapid processing and dissemination, an information leaflet, press releases and kits will continue to be made available through the World Wide Web. The World of Work magazine is produced as a means of disseminating information directly to the ILO’s constituents.
235.3. For the biennium 1998-99, there will be a slight reduction in the resources for this major programme amounting to $47,000. However, an additional provision for 1/00 Professional work-year for audiovisual work is included, although this is offset by a net reduction of 2/00 General Service work-years.
Press releases and relations with the media
235.4. The objective of this subprogramme is the development and strengthening of the ILO’s image as a leading player on the world stage in social and economic affairs. Working closely with those responsible for the technical major programmes, opportunities with media potential are identified among the analyses, reports and surveys published by the ILO, as well as in its meetings, events and technical cooperation activities. Clear, concise and timely press releases are then issued, accompanied whenever feasible by video footage and photographs. In relation to questions of particularly broad public interest, a press kit is produced, which may include several articles, photographs, charts and posters. Two or three such press kits are distributed each year to the media and target audiences. Resource persons are also made available to provide expertise and lend an authoritative ILO voice to radio and television interviews. Whenever possible, the active support of field offices is enlisted in these efforts.
235.5. A network of personal contacts in the world’s leading media is used to give maximum exposure to selected articles and issues. Journalists and departments that may be interested are identified and contacted individually. The goal for each press release is to place the information as a news item in leading daily newspapers and in television and radio news programmes. Where successful, an ILO news item can be used in a single day by hundreds or even thousands of news outlets around the world.
Audiovisual information
235.6. To increase its visibility, the ILO needs to obtain more television coverage. Short, high-quality video news releases are indispensable tools to gain access to television news programmes. Although relatively inexpensive products, investment is required to strengthen the ILO’s capacity to produce between 20 and 30 video news releases each year and distribute them worldwide. This involves the purchase of filming and editing equipment and the establishment of a part-time post for an audiovisual technician. A limited number of coproduction agreements will continue to be concluded with major broadcasters for the production of feature-length video programmes on themes of major interest to the ILO. Complete sound and video coverage of the Conference will also continue to be provided for use, among others, by delegations and the media in member States.
Coordination with ILO offices
235.7. To achieve greater impact and channel information more effectively on events and issues that are closest to the concerns of individual countries, it is necessary to improve coordination with ILO field offices to further develop a global network of media contacts. Focal points for media relations are designated in each ILO office and multidisciplinary advisory team. They are responsible for developing and nurturing a network of contacts in the national and regional media to serve as relays for information generated at headquarters and to add a national or regional perspective.
World of Work
235.8. The ILO’s constituency of individuals and organizations concerned with issues and developments in the world of work represents an important source of current and potential support that needs to be kept regularly informed of its decisions, programmes and concerns, as well as any difficulties that it may be facing. The vehicle used for this purpose is the magazine, World of Work, which is published five times a year in English, French, Spanish, German and Arabic, and between four and six times a year in several other languages (Czech, Hungarian, Russian, Chinese, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish and Finnish). Of the principal language editions, only one (English) is produced in Geneva. The others are prepared respectively in Paris, Madrid, Bonn and Beirut. All the editions contain certain core articles edited at headquarters, supplemented by material from the respective offices that is relevant to their distribution areas.
Printed information material
235.9. In order to increase awareness of the ILO around the world, information materials are produced for persons who are unfamiliar with its principles and work. Documentation containing information on the ILO’s history, mandate and the concept of active partnership will continue to be published for direct distribution to students, visitors and other members of the public.