(1) Charles Darwin University (‘CDU,’ ‘the University’) has a responsibility to communicate information about the University, including knowledge produced within the University in a constructive and professional manner. This ensures the University maintains a positive and professional reputation and image. (2) This policy outlines the obligations on University employees to ensure professional engagement with the media. (3) This policy governs the association of personal and professional comment to the name and brand marks of the University in the public arena. (4) This policy does not restrict the right of any individual, member or representative of any professional, community or representative body to freely express their opinions. This policy is not to detract from the University’s commitment to intellectual and academic freedom as outlined in Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech policy. (5) This policy should be read in conjunction with the Code of Conduct - Employees, the Social Media Policy and the Charles Darwin University and Union Enterprise Agreement 2025. (6) This policy applies to all University employees interacting with the media and making public comment or media statements. This policy applies to all forms of media, including both News Media and Social Media. (7) When making public comment employees must exercise good and ethical judgement in any public comment and must not harass, vilify, intimidate or defame the University or its employees. (8) All media inquiries or outreach for publicity about University events, policies, procedures, official positions, and actions should be channelled through the Marketing, Media and Communications team, in order to ensure effective communication. (9) Any communication with the media on behalf of the University, in a manner that officially represents or appears to represent the University and/or its interests will be led and coordinated by the Media and Communications team, within the Marketing, Media and Communications unit. (10) All inquiries by news media representatives to individuals in their capacities as university employees must be channelled through the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. It is the responsibility of the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer to manage these interactions with news media including initiating contact and responding to media requests. (11) Only the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and members of the Senior Executive Team are permitted to comment publicly on behalf of the University as a corporate entity. (12) Other members of the Senior Management Group (employees holding the position of Dean or Director (or equivalent) of the University) can comment publicly for the University if they have been delegated to do so by a member of the Senior Executive. (13) An employee or department that seeks to publicise a program, event or achievement through news media must contact the Media and Communications team. (14) The Media and Communications team has access to numerous news media contacts and will work with the University employees to coordinate publicity or visibility for programs, events or newsworthy issues. (15) Expert comment means comment within an employee’s area of expertise. (16) The Media and Communication team facilitates media enquiries and manages contact with subject matter experts and senior management across the university. (17) Any expert commentator who is requested to provide media comment on their area of expertise must liaise with the Media and Communications Manager to coordinate the request and to ensure that if there are follow up enquiries, the University response is aligned and consistent. (18) It is not acceptable for employees to engage with the media or engage in any activity or comment designed to bring the University into disrepute. (19) This Policy does not restrict the right of any employee to freely express opinions in their private capacity as an individual member of society. However, individuals who wish to make public comment in this capacity must not in any way indicate that they are speaking for or on behalf of the University in accordance with their obligations under the Code of Conduct - Employees, Code of Conduct - Students and any other University governing documents. (20) Private statements must not include the University’s name or their title or appointment within the University or identify them as an employee of the University. (21) Non-compliance with Governance Documents is considered a breach of the Code of Conduct - Employees or the Code of Conduct – Students, as applicable, and is treated seriously by the University. Reports of concerns about non-compliance will be managed in accordance with the applicable disciplinary procedures outlined in the Charles Darwin University and Union Enterprise Agreement 2025 and the Code of Conduct – Students. (22) Complaints may be raised in accordance with the Complaints and Grievance Policy and Procedure - Employees and Complaints Policy - Students. (23) All employees have an individual responsibility to raise any suspicion, allegation or report of fraud or corruption in accordance with the Fraud and Corruption Control Policy and Whistleblower Reporting (Improper Conduct) Procedure.Media Policy
Section 1 - Preamble
Section 2 - Purpose
Section 3 - Scope
Top of PageSection 4 - Policy
Commenting on behalf of Charles Darwin University
Expert Comment
Individual Comment
Section 5 - Non-Compliance
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