The stress must continue to be placed on a communications mix that attempts to provide every Canadian with information that is available , accessible , and affordable . One of my current responsibilities is to review the 1988 federal government communications policy and to modernize it in the face of, among other things, the leaps forward in technology. There are, of course, many reasons for the low or failing grades that are often given government communications efforts, and just as many views on what can be done to improve the function's management and effectiveness. Since governments at all levels are federations of departments and ministries, agencies and commissions, sectors and branches, programs and initiatives, political staff and public servants, generalizations are risky. Make internal communications a priority.
Good communications begins within the organization.
Put feet to fire. Have everyone, particularly managers, measured regularly on their competence in communicating with superiors, peers, subordinates, and external stakeholders. Change, change, change. Don't think for a moment that what worked in the 1980s is axiomatically good enough for the 90s. Maybe, but not likely.