I am very pleased to have been asked to take part in this fresh look at how government communicates. The Civil Service must ensure that changes to law are explained. It has always offered the opportunity to consult on policy issues and has published the results. It has always mounted professional, award-winning publicity campaigns to motivate people to take part in the census, remember tax deadlines or avoid drinking then driving.
Government also has a duty to deliver news to the public, journalists and professionals.
It must provide clear guidance, friendly advice, and impartial explanations of government policy. To do that we have always had to target and communicate effectively with a range of different audiences. It is this challenge for rapidly changing digital media that we are considering today. As was evident from Patricia Hewitt's speech, government has done an excellent job of both adapting to and helping to create the knowledge economy and society. It is equally clear that we are about to enter a new digital media landscape that confronts e-Communicators with new challenges.