Political Communication and Devolution in Northern Ireland: Dataset Documentation

Political Communication and Devolution in Northern Ireland: dataset documentation

ESRC award reference number: L327253040

Description of the originating project

The primary aim of this project was to examine the impact of devolution on the process of political communication in Northern Ireland. More specifically, the study examined changes in the following areas: the role, organisation and output of the media, the government information service in Northern Ireland, the political communication efforts of the political parties and the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the lobbying and media strategies of the voluntary sector.

The key theoretical question underpinning the study was whether changes in the formal and informal structures of political communication in Northern Ireland appeared to be facilitating the development of a more inclusive and participatory form of democracy. With regard to the media, the study also examined changes in the way the media organised its political coverage and in the way it reported political, social and economic issues. The study further attempted to determine whether political reporting has become more uniform or more diverse as a result of these changes. It also examined whether the media has moved away from the ‘nationalist versus unionist’ frame in its approach to political, social and economic issues. Finally, it charted the extent to which the Assembly dominated coverage and whether media interest in the new institution declined over time, in line with trends in coverage in Britain and the United States.

The study also investigated changes in the ability of voluntary campaign groups to shape the media’s agenda with regard to social and economic issues. It was hypothesised that that ability would be reduced as the regional media would be more likely to focus on the proceedings of the Assembly, at least in the short term. The study also examined shifts in the media and lobbying strategies adopted by these groups, and in the manner in which the focus of their lobbying changed or expanded. In addition to obtaining a broad overview, the project focused on four contrasting NGOs.

The study did not set out originally to examine to what extent the Assembly was facilitating public participation in the democratic process. However, it quickly became apparent that the Assembly’s committees were not operating in the same transparent manner as those of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly. It was felt it would be very worthwhile to gather some empirical data in this regard, and this line of investigation formed a key part of the study.

The other major area of enquiry concerned changes in the organisation and strategies of the political communication efforts of the government information service and the political parties in Northern Ireland. The study examined the process of negotiation between government press officers and the parties with regard to the communication of government policy matters. It also investigated the extent to which each of these

1 organisations was able to influence the media’s agenda. Finally, the study examined the political communication strategy of the Assembly itself.

The study was carried out over a 13-month period from the beginning of March 2000 to the end of March 2001. It was greatly aided by the project’s Research Officer, Dr Nathalie Caleyron, who was responsible for the quantitative content analysis and also carried out some of the interviews. The study involved interviews with key individuals from each of the sectors and organisations referred to above, and content analysis of both media coverage and government press releases.

Two series of interviews were carried out with a variety of key individuals in the Assembly, the government information service, the media, the political parties and the voluntary sector. A total of 91 interviews with 70 individuals was carried out. These interviews were all recorded and transcribed. Further information was gained through telephone conversations with other individuals.

Almost all the interviews were carried out either largely or wholly on an attributable basis. However, most of the interviewees did specify that certain parts of their interview should be strictly non-attributable or off the record. Moreover, several interviewees asked me to use my discretion in attributing any comments specifically to them. In the light of this, I asked the ESRC Dataset Archive if I could have permission not to deposit the interview data. I did not seek the permission of interviewees to deposit the interview material in this way prior to the interviews as I felt many individuals would refuse to be interviewed if they were told that copies of the data were to be kept in this way. Moreover, I hope I might be able to go back and carry out further interviews with some of these individuals in the future – and would not wish to do anything which might break the relationship trust which exists between me and them. The Dataset Archive has kindly given me permission not to deposit this data.

In addition, 19 senior political journalists, specialist correspondents and general reporters took part in a questionnaire-based survey.

A comprehensive quantitative analysis of the news coverage of the Belfast Telegraph, Irish News and News Letter, BBC Northern Ireland’s Newsline programme and UTV’s Live at Six programme was carried out. This covered the following periods (but please see ‘explanation of coding values’ in ‘coding template’ Excel workbooks for full details of dates as they are slightly more complex than set out below):

1st December 1997-24th January 1998 (newspapers only) 29th November 1999 – 22nd January 2000 (limited information for television taken from television running orders/scripts) 4th September 2000-21st October 2000 22nd October 2000-3rd December 2000 (limited analysis of TV and newspaper appearances by political actors only) 4th December 2000-27th January 2001

2 With the obvious exception of the first period, power was formally devolved to the Assembly during these periods. The timing of the project and the suspension of the Assembly in February 2000 meant we had little choice but to base most of this analysis on three December/January periods in order to measure changes over time. In each case, the analysis was not carried out over the Christmas/New Year period. However, it is acknowledged that the months of December and January are not ideal months on which to base such an analysis; news coverage tends to be lighter than at other times in the run-up to Christmas and January is often regarded by journalists as a ‘slow’ month. The quantitative analysis was used to ascertain the quantity of coverage, treatment and prominence accorded to the following: • the proceedings of the Assembly • coverage of other political stories • coverage of different categories of social and economic issues • stories sourced from the voluntary sector

In addition to the analysis promised in the original proposal, we also carried out an analysis of coverage in the three regional daily newspapers to ascertain to what extent they made use of Press Association copy. This analysis examined a two-week period in November 2000. A further analysis was carried out to ascertain the extent to which both newspapers and television made use of press releases produced by the Executive Information Service (EIS) during the same period. Another additional feature of the study not contained in the original proposal was a comparative analysis of the quality of the press releases issued by the EIS, the Scottish Executive, and the former Northern Ireland Information Service.

A final element which was additional to those promised in the original proposal was an analysis which aimed to examine the approach towards communication and openness adopted by the Northern Ireland Assembly committees. This included data on the proportion of meetings held in public and private, and the quality of minutes and other information relating to the various committees. This analysis covered the period from the start of the autumn session in September 2000 to the Easter break in April 2001.

Summary of data contained in dataset

The different sets of data are clearly labelled and should be self-explanatory. Where necessary, a Word file labelled ‘explanation’ has been included. This should be read before the relevant data is viewed.

- Quantitative content analysis of regional press and TV coverage as above (Excel files with explanations in Word. Newspaper space allocation tables in Word). A file labelled ‘Coding Template’ contains detailed definitions of the different variables and ‘template’ copies of the various Excel tables which, when read in conjunction with the ‘definitions’ lists, clarify what all the labels in the tables of data refer to. - Journalists survey (Access).

- Press release quality analysis (Word) - ‘Source analysis results’ (Word) which contains data relating to the analysis of the use of the Press Association and Executive Information Service press releases by the regional media. - ‘Assembly committees’ (Word). Contains tables with full explanatory footnotes and a guide to the criteria used for assessing the quality of Committee minutes.

Application of the methodology

Full details are contained in the explanatory notes which accompany the different sets of data. All data was double-checked for accuracy when it was inputted. The Research Officer was closely supervised in the early stages of the project. Spot checks were carried out to ensure consistency of coding. There are a few very minor statistical errors in the Excel quantitative analysis tables. These cannot be corrected but have been noted in the summary tables. In order to read the Excel and Access tables, it is necessary to be familiar with the relevant software packages.

Dr Liz Fawcett, Project Manager June 2001

4 Criteria for assessment of quality of Committee minutes: ‘Political communication and devolution in Northern Ireland’ study

The main principle upon which the quality of Committee minutes were judged is that minutes must contain sufficient information to allow those who were not present at the meeting and who are not members of the Committee to understand what was discussed, what was decided and why. It should also be possible for outside observers not present at the meeting to discern the significant points of view and information on different issues put forward by those who spoke at a meeting.

Excellent = full transcript provided

Very good = very full account provided. This includes all significant concerns and points raised by the Chair, Committee members and all those who appear before the Committee. All decisions are recorded. The minutes are presented in such a way that it is possible for an outside observer to identify the full context in which any topic was discussed, the views of all those who spoke on any particular issue, and the reasons for any decisions taken by the Committee.

Good = full account provided. This includes the most significant points raised by the Chair, Committee members and all those who appear before the Committee. All decisions are recorded. The minutes are presented in such a way that it is possible for an outside observer to identify the Committee’s main concerns on any issue discussed (and the significant concerns of individuals who spoke at the meeting), major points raised during discussion and evidence-taking, and the context behind any decisions taken by the Committee.

Fair = reasonably full summary provided. All decisions are fully recorded. Any significant points raised in discussion or evidence-taking are recorded, although they are not necessarily attributed to one person.

Minimal = main topics of discussion recorded. Individuals appearing before Committee recorded. Decisions recorded. Insufficient information to discern the reasons for decisions and the main points made in discussion.

Very minimal = very minimal information provided on decisions, topics of discussion and speakers.

Liz Fawcett June, 2001 NI Assembly Committees – Quality of Minutes1

General comments: There was often considerable variation in the quality of the minutes of the same Committee within a short time-span. The inconsistency in record- taking among the Committees was quite remarkable. Web links to fuller records of question-and-answer sessions within the minutes of some Committees did not always work. At times, minutes referred to verbatim minutes of evidence which could not be found on the Committee’s web pages. Only a few Committees had direct links to verbatim minutes of evidence. Two Committees did not have up-to-date minutes available. Overall, there was a slight improvement in the quality of minutes among the Committees between the pre-Christmas and pre-Easter periods. However, this was not true of all of them, and two had declined slightly in quality. Committee 1999/2000 4th Sept. – 22nd Dec. 8th Jan. – 9th April 2 20003 20014 Agriculture and Rural Minimal/Fair Fair Fair Development Culture, Arts and Minimal Minimal Fair Leisure Education Minimal/Fair Fair/ Fair5 Minimal Enterprise, Trade and Minimal Minimal Minimal Investment Environment Minimal Minimal Minimal

Finance and Very Fair Minimal Personnel minimal/Minimal Higher and Further Minimal/ Fair Fair6 Fair Education, Training and Employment Health, Social Fair/Good7 Fair Fair8 Services and Public Safety Regional Very Minimal Minimal Development minimal/Minimal Social Development Minimal/ Fair/ Fair/ Good9 Good10 Good11 Committee on Minimal/Fair Fair Fair12 Procedures Business Committee Very good Good/Very good Good13

Committee of the Very Minimal Minimal Centre minimal/Minimal Public Accounts Fair Minimal Fair14 Committee Committee on Minimal/Fair Minimal Minimal Standards and Privileges Audit Committee Fair Fair Minimal/Good

1 See criteria for assessment of quality of Committee minutes (separate document). The minutes for the last 3 meetings held by the Committee during each of the periods covered by this analysis were reviewed for this assessment (excluding any minutes for any meetings devoted largely to paragraph by paragraph discussion of documents/legislation except where that is/was the main task of the Committee). Any comments regarding availability of information and web links related to 01.06.01 when this analysis was carried out. 2 This assessment relates to minutes for the last three meetings held during the 1999/2000 session (i.e. in June/July/ August 2000). 3 See criteria for assessment of quality of Committee minutes (separate document). The minutes for the last 3 meetings held by the Committee during the period covered by this analysis were reviewed for this assessment (excluding any minutes for any meetings devoted largely to paragraph by paragraph discussion of documents/legislation). 4 See criteria for assessment of quality of Committee minutes (separate document). The minutes for the last 3 meetings held by the Committee during the period covered by this analysis were reviewed for this assessment (excluding any minutes for any meetings devoted largely to paragraph by paragraph discussion of documents/legislation). 5 Links to transcripts of oral evidence in some instances. 6 The links to the minutes of the last three meetings held by the Committee during this period were not working when this analysis was carried out, so the analysis is based on the minutes of the three meetings prior to the last three. 7 Web links are provided to summaries of some question and answer sessions. 8 Web links are provided to summaries of some question and answer sessions. However, none of those links tried were working. 9 Web links are provided to summaries of some question and answer sessions. These do not identify individual questioners. However, not all the links worked. 10 The minutes of 6 meetings were analysed as the last three did not seem necessarily representative due to consideration of legislation and/or the brevity of meetings. Web links are provided to summaries of some question and answer sessions. These do not identify individual questioners. However, not all the relevant links were working when this analysis was carried out. 11 Web links are provided to summaries of some question and answer sessions. These do not identify individual questioners. However, not all the links worked. 12 No minutes available for advertised meeting on 14.3.01. 13 The last available minutes on the Committee’s web pages are for 13th February, despite the fact it has met as recently as 14.05.01. 14 The last available minutes on the Committee’s web pages were for 14th February, despite the fact it had met as recently as 16.05.01. NI Assembly Committees - 4th Sept-22nd Dec. 20001

Committee Total Public3 Closed Closed/ Advance Quality of Last Reports on Press Visits External meetings2 public4 agenda minutes6 available website notices venue available5 tran- (public script meeting)7 Agriculture and Rural 17 9 4 4 5 Fair 13 1 Development Culture, Arts and Leisure 18 3 5 10 5 Minimal 10 68 Education 17 2 11 4 1 Fair/ Press Minimal releases not (65%) dated Enterprise, Trade and 25 14 9 2 5 Minimal 14 2 2 Investment (36%) Environment 13 6 1 6 6 Minimal 5

Finance and Personnel 17 14 2 1 7 Fair 6 (82%) Higher and Further 20 12 3 5 4 Fair9 24 1 Education, Training and Employment Health, Social Services 15 10 5 6 Fair 17 and Public Safety Regional Development 12 6 5 1 6 Minimal 3 4 1 Social Development 15 10 4 1 7 Fair/ 12 10 Good

All Departmental 169 86 49 34 52 13 4 Committees (51%) (29%) (20%) (31%) Committee on Procedures 6 6 Fair 0 1 Business Committee 14 14 Good/Very 0 good

Committee of the Centre 11 3 (27%) 4 (36%) 4 (36%) 1 Minimal 11 Public Accounts 9 2 (22%) 6 (66%) 1 (11%) Minimal 8 Committee Committee on Standards 3 2 1 Minimal 1 and Privileges Audit Committee 1 1 Fair 0 1

All Standing 44 8 31 5 1 1 1 Committees Ad Hoc Committee on 4 3 1 None 1 Flags available Ad Hoc Committee - 1 1 Good 0 Financial Investigations (NI) Order

Ad Hoc Committees 5 3 2 0 0 0 0 All Committees 218 97 82 39 53 14 5 (44%) (38%) (18%) (24%)

10 The minutes of 6 meetings were analysed as the last three did not seem necessarily representative due to consideration of legislation and/or the brevity of meetings. Web links are provided to summaries of some question and answer sessions. These do not identify individual questioners. However, not all the relevant links were working when this analysis was carried out. NI Assembly Committees – 4th Sept. 2000-9th April 20011

Committee Total Public3 Closed Closed/ Advance Quality Last Reports Press Visits External meetings public4 agenda of available on notices venue 2 available minutes6 tran- website (public 5 script on on June meeting) June 1st 1st 20017 8 2001 Agriculture and 29 20 4 5 8 Fair May 4th 4 28 2 Rural Development 20019 Culture, Arts and 32 7 8 17 10 Fair None10 2 10 7 Leisure Education 29 4 18 7 2 Fair11 March 1 Press 2 (14%) (62%) (24%) 29th releases 200112 not dated Enterprise, Trade and 51 17 26 8 7 Minimal October 2 27 4 2 Investment (51%) 18th 2000 Environment 27 19 2 6 11 Minimal None 1 8

Finance and 31 27 3 1 16 Minimal April 7 8 1 Personnel (87%) (10%) (3%) 3rd 2001 Higher and Further 32 22 3 7 6 Fair Sept. 5th 114 40 1 1 Education, Training 200013 and Employment Health, Social 28 1815 9 1 9 Fair16 March 4 30 5 1 Services and Public 21st Safety 21st 200117 Regional 25 10 12 3 10 Minimal 21st 1 5 618 1 Development June 2000 Social Development 27 13 12 2 11 Fair/ 7th Dec. 1 21 (48%) (44%) (7%) Good19 200020 All Departmental 311 157 97 57 90 28 5 Committees (50%) (31%) (18%) (29%) Committee on 12 1 11 Fair21 None 0 1 Procedures Business Committee 27 27 Good22 None 0 1

Committee of the 22 14 4 4 1 Minimal 24th Jan. 1 22 1 Centre 2001 Public Accounts 17 4 12 1 Fair23 22nd 6 15 2 Committee Feb. 2001 Committee on 4 2 2 Minimal 9th Nov. 1 2 Standards and 2000 Privileges Audit Committee 3 3 Minimal/ None 0 1 1 Good All Standing 85 24 56 5 1 5 1 Committees Ad Hoc Committee 4 3 1 None 5th 1 1 on Flags available October 2000 Ad Hoc Committee - 5 4 1 1 Minimal 9th Jan. 1 1 Financial 2001 Investigations (NI) Order Ad Hoc Committee – 4 2 2 Minimal/ 6th Feb. 1 Life Sentences (NI) Fair 2001 Order 2001

Ad Hoc Committee – 1 1 Minimal 3rd May 1 Proceeds of Crime 2001 Bill

Ad Hoc Committees 14 9 5 0 1 0 0 All Committees 410 190 158 62 92 33 6 (46%) (39%) (15%)

6 See criteria for assessment of quality of Committee minutes (separate document). The minutes for the last 3 meetings held by the Committee during the period covered by this analysis were reviewed for this assessment (excluding any minutes for any meetings devoted largely to paragraph by paragraph discussion of documents/legislation except where this is/was the main task of the Committee). 7 These figures include reports on legislation as well as Committee enquiries. 8 Public or part-public meeting held in external venue. 9 Direct link from Committee web page menu to Minutes of Evidence. 10 Links on the Committee’s web pages which were supposed to link to transcripts of evidence appended to a Committee did not work in all cases and only written evidence could be found. 11 Links to transcripts of oral evidence in some instances. 12 Direct link from Committee web page menu to Minutes of Evidence. 13 Direct link from Committee web page menu to Minutes of Evidence. 14 The Committee has also published its responses to 3 policy documents on its web pages. 15 A number of discrepancies were discovered between what was advertised in ‘Assembly This Week’ in terms of visits and public meetings, and what actually took place according to the minutes. In particular, certain visits appear to have been replaced by meetings at the Assembly while certain visits were advertised as public meetings, but were not minuted. The record in this table reflects what seems to be the most accurate reflection of what actually took place. 16 Web links are provided to summaries of some question and answer sessions. However, none of those links tried were working. 17 Links to two volumes of one of the Committee’s reports were not working when this analysis was carried out. 18 These were both visits to DRD’s headquarters. 19 Web links are provided to summaries of some question and answer sessions. These do not identify individual questioners. However, not all the links worked. 20 Verbatim minutes of evidence are referred to in Committee minutes but could not be found on the Committee’s web pages. The evidence referred to in the table for this Committee is taken from a report on its web pages. 21 No minutes available for advertised meeting on 14.3.01. 22 The last available minutes on the Committee’s web pages were for 13th February, despite the fact it had met as recently as 14.05.01. 23 The last available minutes on the Committee’s web pages were for 14th February, despite the fact it had met as recently as 16.05.01.

NI Assembly Committees – 8th January-9th April 20011

Committee Total Public3 Closed Closed/ Advance Quality Last Reports Press Visits External meetings public4 agenda of available on notices venue 2 available minutes6 tran- website (public 5 script meeting) 7 Agriculture and Rural 12 11 1 3 Fair 15 1 Development Culture, Arts and 14 4 3 7 5 Fair 0 1 Leisure Education 12 2 7 (58%) 3 1 Fair8 Press 2 releases not dated Enterprise, Trade and 26 3 17 6 2 Minimal 13 2 Investment (65%) Environment 14 13 1 5 Minimal 3

Finance and 14 13 1 9 Minimal 2 1 Personnel Higher and Further 12 10 2 2 Fair 16 1 Education, Training and Employment Health, Social 13 89 4 1 3 Fair10 13 5 1 Services and Public Safety Regional 13 4 7 (54%)2 4 Minimal 2 211 Development Social Development 12 3 8 (66%)1 4 Fair/ 9 Good12 All Departmental 142 71 48 23 38 15 1 Committees (50%) (34%) (16%) (26%) Committee on 6 1 5 Fair13 0 Procedures Business Committee 13 13 Good14 0 1

Committee of the 11 11 Minimal 11 1 Centre Public Accounts 8 2 6 Fair15 7 2 Committee Committee on 1 1 Minimal 1 Standards and Privileges Audit Committee 2 2 Minimal/ 1 Good All Standing 41 16 25 0 0 Committees Ad Hoc Committee - 4 4 1 Minimal 1 Financial Investigations (NI) Order Ad Hoc Committee – 4 2 2 Minimal/ 1 Life Sentences (NI) Fair Order 2001

Ad Hoc Committee – 1 1 Minimal 1 Proceeds of Crime Bill

Ad Hoc Committees 9 6 3 1 All Committees 192 93 76 23 39

1 The information with regard to the public/closed status of meetings is taken from the Assembly’s weekly business list on its website. The analysis of minutes and other information was carried out on 01.06.01. All points regarding availability of any items and whether or not web links were working relate to that date. 2 Does not include visits (except where public or part-public meeting held) 3 Meetings are categorised as public where up to 15 minutes is spent in closed session at the start of a meeting. 4 Meetings where some of the meeting is open to the public but more than 15 minutes is spent in closed session. 5 Refers to the availability of an agenda linked to the notice of a Committee meeting on the Assembly’s website. 6 See criteria for assessment of quality of Committee minutes (separate document). The minutes for the last 3 meetings held by the Committee during the period covered by this analysis were reviewed for this assessment (excluding any minutes for any meetings devoted largely to paragraph by paragraph discussion of documents/legislation except where this was/is the main task of the Committee). 7 Public or part-public meeting held in external venue. 8 Links to transcripts of oral evidence in some instances. 9 A number of discrepancies were discovered between what was advertised in ‘Assembly This Week’ in terms of visits and public meetings, and what actually took place according to the minutes. In particular, certain visits appear to have been replaced by meetings at the Assembly while certain visits were advertised as public meetings, but were not minuted. The record in this table reflects what seems to be the most accurate reflection of what actually took place. 10 Web links are provided to summaries of some question and answer sessions. However, none of those links tried were working. 11 These were both visits to DRD’s headquarters. 12 Web links are provided to summaries of some question and answer sessions. These do not identify individual questioners. However, not all the links worked. 13 No minutes available for advertised meeting on 14.3.01. 14 The last available minutes on the Committee’s web pages were for 13th February, despite the fact it had met as recently as 14.05.01. 15 The last available minutes on the Committee’s web pages were for 14th February, despite the fact it had met as recently as 16.05.01.

Analysis of use of Press Association (PA) copy and NIIS/EIS press releases in regional daily newspapers 13/11/00 to 27/11/001

Category Belfast Irish News News Letter Telegraph Total all stories2 246 (100%) 250 (100%) 197 (100%) Total stories 23 21 46 using PA Total stories 19 (7.7%) 17 (6.8%) 42 (21.3%) using 50% + PA Total stories 13 (5.3%) 13 (5.2%) 31 (15.7%) using 100% PA Total stories 10 (4.1%) 10 (4%) 23 (11.7%) using PA word for word3 Total stories 66 (100%) 63 (100%) 60 (100%) featuring politicians4 Total stories 13 (19.7%) 12 (19%) 35 (58.3%) featuring politicians using PA Total stories 12 (18.2%) 10 (15.9%) 31 (51.7%) featuring politicians using 50% + PA Total stories 9 (13.6%) 8 (12.7%) 23 (38.3%) featuring politicians using 100% PA Total stories 7 (10.6%) 7 (11.1%) 18 (30%) featuring politicians using word for word PA

1 This analysis examined all three newspapers every day except Monday 13/11/00 when analysis only included Belfast Telegraph and Monday 27/1/00 when analysis only included Irish News and News Letter. This was to allow for the fact that the latter two newspapers are morning newspapers while the Belfast Telegraph is an afternoon/evening newspaper and therefore has different copy deadlines. 2 The stories coded for this analysis consisted of those stories, relating in some way to Northern Ireland, which were on general news or political news pages and consisted of 10 paragraphs or more in length or were stories (not captions) with a photograph attached, except for the front page where all stories of 2 paragraphs or more were coded. Political analysis and ‘colour’ pieces were included if they contained some news content. 3 Stories were coded as being word for word PA where they were identical or only the most minor textual changes had been made e.g. ‘tomorrow’ changed to ‘today’ or ‘police officer’ to ‘garda’. Stories are also included in this category if the PA copy has been cut in length. 4 This includes stories featuring Assembly debate/speeches and Committee meetings.

Belfast Irish News News Letter Telegraph Total stories 13 (100%) 6 (100%) 9 (100%) featuring Assembly chamber debate/ speeches Total Assembly 4 (30.8%) 4 (66.6%) 6 (66.6%) stories using PA Total Assembly 3 (23.1%) 3 (50%) 6 (66.6%) stories using 50%+ PA Total Assembly 2 (15.4%) 2 (33.3%) 6 (66.6%) stories using 100% PA Total Assembly 1 (7.7%) 2 (33.3%) 5 (55.6%) stories using word for word PA Total Committee 5 (100%) 3 (100%) 5 (100%) stories5 Total Committee 3 (60%) 0 (0%) 5 (100%) stories using PA Total Committee 3 (60%) 0 (0%) 5 (100%) stories using 50%+ PA Total Committee 2 (40%) 0 (0%) 4 (80%) stories using 100% PA Total Committee 2 (40%) 0 (0%) 3 (60%) stories using word for word PA

Comment

The above analysis was limited to just two weeks of coverage and therefore any conclusions drawn from it must be tentative. However, it suggests that the News Letter relies much more heavily on the Press Association (PA) for its coverage than the other two newspapers. Just over one in five (21.3%) of the News Letter’s stories relating to Northern Ireland appeared to have used the PA as their main source.6 This compared with the Belfast Telegraph where PA appeared to have been the main source in 7.7% of Northern Ireland stories and the Irish News where it appeared to have been the main source in 6.8% of such stories. There was also a higher tendency on the part of the News Letter to use the Press Association as its sole source, and to use PA stories word for word. While only 4% of Belfast Telegraph and Irish News stories consisted of copy identical to PA copy, 11.7% of News Letter stories used PA word for word.

However, the difference between the News Letter and the other two newspapers becomes much more marked when one examines the Northern Ireland political coverage of the three newspapers. 51.7% of all Northern Ireland stories which featured politicians in the News Letter appeared to have been sourced mainly from PA. This compares to 18.2% of Belfast Telegraph political stories and 15.9% of Irish News stories which appeared to use PA as their main source. Moreover, almost two-fifths (38.3%) of political stories in the News Letter were sourced entirely from PA, compared to 13.6% of Belfast Telegraph stories and 12.7% of Irish News stories.

5 ‘Committee stories’ are those which feature the proceedings of meetings or reports of Assembly Committees. 6 In other words, more than 50% of the copy appeared to have been derived from the Press Association. It must be remembered that, in some instances, both organisations may themselves each have used the same source of copy. However, the author’s judgement is that this did not account for most of the instances of similarity.

2 Indeed, almost one-third (30%) of the News Letter’s political stories consisted simply of word for word PA copy. This applied to 10.6% of political stories in the Belfast Telegraph and 11.1% in the Irish News.

The number of stories originating from the Assembly chamber and Assembly Committees was fairly small during the period analysed. However, the figures indicate that the News Letter is relying even more heavily on PA for its Assembly coverage. Two-thirds (66.6%) of the News letter’s coverage of Assembly proceedings was sourced entirely from PA and most stories (55.6%) used copy which was identical to that of PA. The Belfast Telegraph was least likely to make use of PA for its Assembly coverage; about a quarter (23.1%) of its Assembly stories appeared to have been sourced mainly from PA, while 7.7% of its Assembly stories used PA word for word.

80% of the News Letter’s Assembly Committee stories were sourced entirely from PA, compared to 40% of the Belfast Telegraph’s stories. The Irish News made no use of PA copy for these stories. However, none of the three newspapers carried many Committee stories of 10 paragraphs or more; the Belfast Telegraph and News Letter carried 5 each during this two-week period, while the Irish News carried 3.7

During the period for which copy was analysed, the Assembly debated the 2000-1 Budget. During the debate, the Finance Minister came was criticised for announcing an 8% rise in the domestic regional rate and a 6.6% rise in the non-domestic rate. The proposal had passed largely unnoticed when the Minister originally made the announcement. Subsequently, he announced that the actual rate rises would be lower. The proposed rise in the regional rate was one of the most controversial decisions taken by the Executive during 2000.

On the day of the debate on the Budget, the Belfast Telegraph did its own front-page story (Belfast Telegraph 14.11.00). However, the next morning, both the Irish News (15.11.00) and the News Letter (15.11.00) carried identical stories on the debate taken straight from PA copy. The story was the lead item on the front page of the News Letter while it was carried on page 8 of the Irish News. The Belfast Telegraph (15.11.00) then made use of the same copy for three-quarters of a further report on the Budget debate which it carried in its ‘Inside Stormont’ section.

Three party conferences also took place during the period in question - the DUP, SDLP and NI Women’s Coalition all decided to stage their annual conferences on the same weekend. While the Belfast Telegraph and the Irish News sent their own reporters to all three, the News Letter seems to have relied on PA to cover the SDLP and NI Women’s Coalition conferences. There is certainly no evidence that it sent its own reporters to either event. One piece used by the News Letter was by-lined Dan McGinn. Dan McGinn is a PA correspondent and the piece appeared to have been especially commissioned from him.

Most PA stories simply present a collection of facts. Of course, there is an element of interpretation and selection n even the simplest story as the writer has to decide what the main newsline of the story is, what facts are worth including, in what order to present the facts, and how to phrase each sentence. Occasionally, PA quotes ‘sources’ which adds to the degree of interpretation in a story in that any use of the term ‘sources’ suggests that the ‘sources’ are worth quoting and know what they are talking about. A few PA stories also offer a degree of analysis designed to put the facts of a story into some sort of context. Where this is done, there is clearly a great danger then if newspapers use the PA copy in a manner which suggests that the sources or the analysis are those of the paper in question.

This happened with a PA story which speculated that a return visit by the then American President, Bill Clinton, was on the cards. It was used by both the News Letter (24.11.00) and the Belfast Telegraph (24.11.00). The story (“PA” NewsFile 23.11.00 ‘1 ULSTER Clinton’) began by quoting Deputy First Minster Seamus Mallon that another visit by Clinton would assist the peace process. There followed eight paragraphs of quotes from an address by Mallon elaborating on this view. The story then continued in a more interpretative vein as follows:

Mr Mallon’s comments came amid renewed speculation about a third and final visit to the province by the US President next month. [10]8

7 It should be noted that both Assembly proceedings and Committees were covered in shorter stories. However, it was felt more important in this analysis to focus on those stories of sufficient length to warrant some journalistic effort rather than those which might be regarded simply as ‘fillers’. 8 Indicates paragraph number in the text of the PA copy. The story finished with a one paragraph detailing previous Presidential visits to Northern Ireland, and a further four paragraphs quoting Mallon.

3 Sources at Stormont said a visit would only happen if it would assist the peace process. [11]

However, unionists and republicans on the power sharing executive are currently locked in a dispute over sanctions imposed on Sinn Fein ministers. [12]

Martin McGuinness and Bairbre de Brun are seeking to overturn the ban on them attending North-South Ministerial Council meetings with the Irish government with a judicial review next week. [13]

The ban was imposed by First Minister David Trimble and his party, the Ulster Unionists, in protest at the IRA’s failure to engage directly with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning since the deal restoring devolution to the province in May. [14]

Republicans are also at odds with the British Government, accusing Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson of watering down police reforms and not honouring all the commitments made in May on scaling down military installations. [15]

There are fears that [sic.] could impact on the IRA’s offer to put its weapons beyond use, which republicans say, was in the context of Patten being implemented in full and an advanced programme of demilitarisation. [16]

Sources also indicated today that if a Presidential visit was to take place before Christmas, “serious advance planning” would have to get under way by this weekend at the latest. [17]

Although the News Letter did not use the story word for word, it did use paragraphs 11, 12, 15 and 17 above, which included both paragraphs referring to information obtained from ‘sources’. Most surprisingly, the story was attributed to the newspaper’s then Political Correspondent, Mervyn Pauley, even though the ‘sources’ were not his in this instance. The Belfast Telegraph used the PA copy word for word with no by-line but without any indication that the ‘sources’ were those of PA. (The Irish News carried the same story but quoting only Mallon and evidently sourced either directly from the event Mallon was addressing, or from a press release or text of the speech issued on behalf of the Deputy First Minister).

The issue of by-lines is also an important one. There were instances in which each of the three newspapers used a PA reporter’s name as the by-line for a particular article. The problem with this practice is that most readers would assume that a reporter by-lined in this manner is one of the newspapers’ own reporters. In a few instances, both the Belfast Telegraph and the Irish News did credit PA. However, there seemed to be no consistent approach as to whether or not PA should be credited by any of the newspapers. In the author’s view, newspapers should by-line all stories which are sourced entirely from PA as ‘Jo Bloggs, PA’ or ‘PA reporter’.

Government press releases

None of the three newspapers made much use of press releases issued by the Executive Information Service (EIS) in the type of articles which formed the basis of this analysis.9 It must be remembered that all three newspapers also carry many shorter articles and a number of EIS press releases did get used in these stories. EIS press releases and Ministerial photo-opportunities also appear to form a major part of the staple diet of the specialist business and agriculture pages within the regional newspapers. Again, such articles were not coded in this analysis.

However, it seems fair to assume that the widest readership will be reached through those press releases which end up as the main source for reasonably prominent or substantial articles in the general news or political news pages. Very few EIS releases achieved such success during the two-week period in question. The Belfast Telegraph carried 9 stories which were sourced in whole or part from EIS press releases, while the Irish News carried 10 such stories and the News Letter carried 7 stories in this category.10 This represents a small proportion of the 200-250 articles coded in each of these newspapers during this period.

9 See footnote 2 above. 10 This includes a few stories which did not utilise much of the press release copy but did cover an event featured in the release. Such articles were not included if the angle taken was very different and it was unclear whether the press release instigated or encouraged the paper to cover the event.

However, it is perhaps fairer to look at what proportion of articles featuring politicians is sourced from such press releases. The figures are as follows:

Number of stories Belfast Telegraph Irish News News Letter All stories featuring 66 (100%) 63 (100%) 60 (100%) politicians Political stories using 8 (12.1%) 9 (14.3%) 7 (11.6%) EIS press release as source Political stories using 7 (10.6%) 5 (7.9%) 4 (6.6%) EIS as main source (50%+) Political stories using 3 (4.5%) 2 (3.2%) 1 (1.6%) EIS press release as sole source

It should be noted that, during this period, no press releases were used which related to Ministerial appearances in the Assembly chamber, or to appearances by Ministers or officials before Assembly Committees. While these figures may seem small, they do represent an increase on the proportion of NIIS press releases use during two weeks of November 1997:11

Number of stories Belfast Telegraph Irish News News Letter12 All stories featuring 63 (100%) 65 (100%) 46 (100%) politicians Political stories using 5 (7.9%) 6 (9.2%) 3 (6.5%) NIIS press release as source Political stories using 4 (6.3%) 2 (7.9%)13 2 (4.3%) NIIS as main source (50%+) Political stories using 0 (0%) 1 (1.5%) 1 (2.1%) NIIS press release as sole source

To the credit of all three newspapers, only one article from either of these samples represented a straight word for word ‘lift’ from an EIS or (in 1997) NIIS press release.14 It should be noted that the 1997 and 2000 tables are not absolute parallels, as the use of NIIS press releases - concerned with the activities of NIO Ministers such as the Secretary of State - were not included in the latter table. However, very few stories in the 1997 table relate to press releases emanating from the NIO in any case. One must also be cautious in drawing any firm conclusions from a relatively small sample. However, the figures would indicate that all three newspapers are now making greater use of press releases from the government departments which comprise the Northern Ireland Executive than was the case prior to devolution. Interestingly, despite the fact that the News Letter appears to make the greatest use of PA copy in its stories featuring politicians, it makes the least use (by a small margin) of press release copy emanating from the Executive. While regional and local newspapers are often criticised for simply ‘regurgitating press releases’, very few stories in either 1997 or 2000 relied on official press releases as the sole source.

11 The period covered for the purposes of this analysis was 17th-29th November 1997 inclusive. 12 Two pages of the 21.11.97 edition of the News Letter were missing from the library copy used for compiling this table. As they were pages 11 and 12, it is unlikely their content would have made any significant difference to the results of the analysis. 13 The Irish News (21.11.97) also carried an article by the Northern Ireland Environment Minister, Lord Dubs, in which he defended his department in response to a critical report by the Northern Ireland Audit Office on the sale of Belfast International Airport. This was not counted in the table. 14 This was an article in the Irish News (29.11.97) which listed a series of initiatives announced by the government to ‘reduce the impact of security measures’.

5 Television news

UTV’s Live at Six and BBC Northern Ireland’s Newsline were also monitored during the same two weeks in November 2000 to try to ascertain the extent to which they make use of PA copy and EIS press releases. Items under one minute were not coded. The author feels it is acceptable for TV news programmes to source at least some of such stories from PA or press releases, as they do not constitute the major part of the programme. However, it is more difficult to determine from content analysis what part either PA copy or official press releases play in the instigation and production of packaged TV reports. The very nature of TV journalism means that reporters have to go out and interview the individuals who may well be quoted in press releases or PA copy. It is highly unlikely that the finished product is going to resemble either of these sources.

During the period in question, UTV carried a total of 60 stories related to Northern Ireland, of which 23 featured politicians and two featured proceedings in the Assembly chamber.15 5 (8.3%) of the total sample of stories and 4 (17.4%) of the stories featuring politicians were covered in EIS press releases. BBC Northern Ireland’s Newsline carried 80 such stories, of which 26 featured politicians, one featured Assembly proceedings and one featured an Assembly Committee. 5 (6.3%) of the total number of stories and 4 (5%) of those featuring politicians were also the subject of EIS press releases. Neither of Newsline’s Assembly stories was covered in an EIS press release.

Once again, the above sample is too small to draw any firm conclusions. However, it does suggest that UTV Live does rely more heavily than the BBC’s Newsline on EIS press releases to provide the subject matter for its stories. It is not an entirely fair comparison, however, as Newsline carries an average of eight items a night while UTV Live is carrying only six. While both programmes are approxinately 30 minutes in length, UTV Live has a commercial break in the middle of its programme. Moreover, a programme called UTV Life is broadcast directly before Live at Six and carries the type of softer items which generally form the final two of Newsline’s items. If one takes this difference into account, neither programme can be said to be relying very heavily on the EIS to provide its stories. Moreover, only item (on Live at Six) approached the story in a manner similar to the relevant EIS press release, and no story used the same top line as an EIS release.

The influence of PA is harder to gauge. While many stories carried by both programmes were also carried by PA, there was little evidence of any very direct influence. That said, five of UTV Live’s stories and two of Newsline’s stories did take a similar approach to PA - this may or may not have been a coincidence. However, two Live at Six stories went a little further in their similarity - in both cases, the two-sentence introduction to the piece from the presenter was almost exactly the same as the lead paragraphs in the equivalent PA copy story.

However, it would be unfair to suggest that either programme is initiating a large number of stories entirely from the investigative endeavours of its journalists. During this period, the two programmes broadcast just two items each on matters other than politics or security which appeared to result from entirely original sources. Two of these were broadcast on UTV Live - one related to an alleged fall in the prices of apartments in Belfast, while the other one concerned hospital waiting lists. The other two were both produced by BBC Northern Ireland’s Environment Correspondent, Mike McKimm. One concerned deregulation of public transport while the other concerned the perceived need for a dual carriageway in Dumfries and Galloway to serve those travelling by ferry between Northern Ireland and Scotland.

In general, Newsline’s items were better produced, and contained a higher degree of analysis and original angles than did Live at Six. However, both programmes demonstrated that they were capable of missing important angles or significant stories from time to time. The following are examples taken from the sample period: • on 16th November 2000, both programmes covered a report by the Northern Ireland Audit Office which was critical of the fact a number of school principals had been getting excessive pay rises. However, while Newsline ran this as its second story, Live at Six tagged it on to the end of an item about a ‘celebrity launch’ promoting integrated education which in this author’s view was a much less significant story. • a report on Live at Six (22.11.00) featured serious allegations by the British Medical Association about conditions at Downe Hospital in Downpatrick. The report contained a lengthy interview clip with a BMA representative, and went into some detail in the voiceover with regard to the Association’s claims. However, there was no interview or statement from either the hospital’s management, the relevant Health Board or the

15 In the case of both Live at Six and Newsline, items were only included if they were at least 1 minute in length, including the introduction. This excluded almost all straight reads and voiceovers. Two-way interviews at the end of an item on the same story were included as part of that item. Reports in the programmes’ sports sections were not included.

6 department of Health. The item did not say that any of these bodies had been approached for comment. The item thus appeared curiously and rather complacently one-sided. Indeed, the next evening, Live at Six ran a follow-up story as its lead item in which senior consultants at the hospital firmly denied the BMA’s claims. The BMA said it stood by its allegations. • on 24th November 2000, both programmes ran items on a major story which greatly upset many nationalists - the decision by the Ministry of Defence that two Scots Guards soldiers would be permitted to stay in the Army, despite having killed an unarmed man by shooting him in the back in Belfast in 1992. The MOD’s decision was sharply criticised by the independent assessor for military complaints, Jim McDonald. This was undoubtedly a very significant and newsworthy element of the story. UTV ran a live interview with him on its programme in which he said that the decision sent out a very ‘negative message’. However, his criticisms were not referred to by BBC’s Newsline. PA put out a copy story which led with the fact he was criticising the decision at 5pm, 1 hour 30 minutes before Newsline went on air. There thus seems little reason why no reference could have been made to Mr McDonald’s comments, even if it was not possible to interview him. • (see also results of qualitative analysis of coverage of the following issues: student fees and the Toome by- pass)

A comparison of the two programmes over this two-week period also suggests little appetite for politics outside the peace process. Neither programme gave much space to the proceedings of the Assembly; UTV Live did two stories based around material from the Assembly chamber while Newsline managed one. However, Newsline also carried one report based around the work of an Assembly Committee; in this instance, the Environment Committee’s investigation into school bus safety. On Monday, 20th December, 2000, the Finance Minister, Mark Durkan announced an additional £75m in funding for the Executive’s departments. This was covered in within a more general ‘politics’ package by UTV Live. Having covered the announcement, the piece switched to a short of Seamus Mallon speaking and a voiceover by UTV’’s Political Correspondent, Ken Reid, which summed up the First Minister’s and Deputy First Minster’s Questions as ‘an event marked by a lack of controversy’. Mr Reid went on to comment that attention was now switching to Westminster and the Policing Bill, the implication being that this was much more exciting as it did involve controversy.

To give UTV its due, however, it did at least cover Mr Durkan’s announcement in a package. In a separate report, it also did a round-up of the DUP and SDLP party conferences which had both just taken place that weekend. Newsline did not cover the party conferences at all, and reduced the funding announcement to a short voiceover item.

7 Summary tables – newspapers – explanation

This series of tables contains Weeks 1-9 for the 1997/8 data and for the 99/2000 data, and Weeks 1-7 for Sept./Oct. Weeks 1-6 for the periods 1997/8 and 1999/2000 plus Weeks 8-13 2000/2001 are in the separate Weeks 1-6 folder.

The summary tables for appearances for the full period from 4th September 2000-27th January 2001. Explanation – Newspaper summary tables (Dec-Jan – 6 week periods)

These tables contain summaries of the newspaper data for Weeks 1-6 for the periods 1997/8 and 1999/2000 plus Weeks 8-13 2000/2001. This means that each period is directly comparable in terms of the time covered. Summary tables – TV – explanation

The ‘full sample’ series of tables contains Weeks 1-9 for the 99/2000 data, and Weeks 1-7 for Sept./Oct. Weeks 1-6 for the period 1999/2000 plus Weeks 8-13 2000/2001 are in the separate Weeks 1-6 series of tables.

The summary tables for appearances for the full period from 4th September 2000-27th January 2001 are in the ‘full sample’ tables.

Amount of news/politics space in regional newspapers1

Paper/ Total Total No. of No. of No. of Total Total Total date space per space on news politics Assembly space on editorial ads/ page cm2 front pages4 pages5 pages6 news space on Announ- (except page pages news cements front cm23 cm2 pages on news page)2 cm27 pages cm2 Belfast Telegraph 16.12.97 2035 1702 8 1 N/A 15947 9641 6306 14.12.99 1870 1530 9 1 0 16490 9426 7064 12.09.00 1870 1530 9 0.5 0 16490 12198 4292 12.12.00 1870 1530 8 0 1 14620 12215 2405 Irish News 16.12.97 1768 1496 6.5 1 N/A 11220 8100 3120 14.12.99 1768 1496 6 0 0 10336 6819 3517 12.09.00 1254 1083 11 1 0 13623 10684 2939 12.12.00 1254 1055 11 1 0 13595 8530 5065 News Letter 16.12.97 884 644 11 1 N/A 9484 7023 2461 14.12.99 871 624 9 2 0 7592 6177 1415 12.09.00 884 598 12 2 0 10322 10172 150 12.12.00 884 624 13 0 0 11232 9209 2023

During October and November 2000, both the Irish News and the News Letter carried between 1 and 2 dedicated ‘politics’ pages. These sometimes but not always contained Assembly news. The Belfast Telegraph began carrying a small (one third of a page) section dedicated to ‘Assembly news’ and labelled as such in its Tuesday editions. By 12th December, 2000, the Telegraph had a whole page dedicated to Assembly coverage.

1 Dates chosen for this sample in all cases were Tuesdays because plenary sessions of the Assembly are generally held on Mondays. It should be noted that 12.12.00 fell during a visit by President Clinton to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This may have affected the figures for this date. However, it was judged that the following Tuesday would have been too close to Christmas to be judged reasonably representative. 2 Total amount of space devoted to editorial and advertising on news pages except front page. 3 Total amount of space devoted to editorial and advertising on front page. Excludes ‘what’s inside’ pictures and headlines under newspaper title but includes strips down the side of the page which contain ‘news briefs’ highlighting what is inside. 4 ‘News page’ = page where at least 25% of the page is filled with general or political news editorial (includes pages categorised as ‘politics pages’ or ‘Assembly pages’. Includes weather and/or puzzles if these appear on news pages, except where weather and/or puzzles takes up more than 25% of the page. ‘News page’ is counted as 0.5 of page if more than 25% relates to editorial content other than news but at least 50% of the editorial content is news. 5 ‘Politics page’ = page where at least 50% of the page is filled with political news editorial and the page is either labelled as a political news page or is clearly intended to be such (does not include pages categorised as ‘Assembly pages’). Where more than 25% than 25% relates to content other than political news, the page is counted as 0.5 ‘politics page’. 6 ‘Assembly page’ = page where at least 50% of the page is filled with news editorial about proceedings at the Assembly and in its Committees, and where the page is either labelled as an Assembly news page or is clearly intended to be such. 7 Includes photos, headlines and weather and/or puzzles except where weather and/or puzzles take up more than 25% of page (in which case it is excluded altogether). EIS - analysis of quality of press releases issued between 13/11/00 and 24/1/00 inclusive

Key: 5 = very good/excellent, 4 = good, 3 = fair, 2 = poor, 1 = very poor

Total no. 1 2 3 4 5 Av. rating press releases No. in each 1171 19 18 30 25 25 3.2 category excluding 84 7 8 25 23 21 3.5 Agriculture

32% of all press releases issued during this period were rated ‘very poor’ or ‘poor’. If Agriculture is excluded, 18% of press releases were rated in these categories.

However, 43% were rated ‘good’ or ‘very good/excellent’. If Agriculture is excluded, 52% were rated in these categories.

The main style problems are fourfold. Firstly, many of the sentences are too long, particularly in the crucial first paragraph. Secondly, the press releases often fail to spell out clearly what the story is. Thirdly, overlong quotes are used from ministerial speeches or statements. Fourthly, the speeches themselves often appear not to have been written with any ‘newsline’ in mind. A more minor problem is a tendency for Ministers to overuse clichés in their statements and speeches. During the period assessed, a number of press releases issued by the Department of Higher Education quoted Sean Farren as saying that various different organisations or documents ‘had a vital role to play’. There was also a tendency to use jargon and technical terms rather than plain language in press releases.

Departments are not infrequently putting out more than one press release on one day about the same Ministers’ activities. A Minister’s activities and statements would have to be extremely newsworthy to merit more than one story in any regional news outlet on the same day. (This does occasionally happen, particularly with health).

Scottish Executive: press release analysis 26th-30th November 2000 inclusive

Key: 5 = very good/excellent, 4 = good, 3 = fair, 2 = poor, 1 = very poor

Total no. 1 2 3 4 5 Av. rating

1 This excludes one press release which was listed but not available on the Department of Agriculture website.

1 press releases No. in each 43 2 3 9 13 16 3.9 category

By contrast, 67% of Scottish Executive press releases analysed over a period of one week were rated ‘good’ or ‘very good’. Indeed, 37% were ‘very good’. Just 12% were categorised as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’.

Some of the same faults can be seen – a tendency to quote Ministers at great length and lazy press releases which are no more than a collection of ‘bullet points’. However, generally Scottish Executive press releases were better-written than the NI Executive releases. They tended to be much more focused and simpler. They were also informative – using brief bullet points to get key points across clearly and making good use of editors’ notes. Many could have been lifted and published as a news story by a newspaper. Where Minister’s speeches or statements were used, a clear news point was written into the speech and then used to good effect in the release.

However, even the more recent EIS press releases are a distinct improvement on those issued by the NIIS during a two-week period in November 1997.

Analysis of NIIS press releases 17th-30th November 1997 inclusive

Key: 5 = very good/excellent, 4 = good, 3 = fair, 2 = poor, 1 = very poor

Total no. 1 2 3 4 5 Av. rating press releases No. in each 51 7 12 19 12 1 2.8 category

Only 25% of NIIS press releases during this period were rated ‘good’ or ‘very good/excellent’, while 37% were rated ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. A greater proportion seemed to have been written simply to ‘impart information’, and appeared to have been issued for the sake of being able to say that a press release had been issued, rather than to try to maximise coverage!

A small sample of NIIS press releases from 22nd May to 12th June 2001 inclusive was also analysed. These represented the 12 most recent releases at the time of the analysis. These were uniformly very good (i.e. would be rated ‘5’) – clear, well-written with all the information needed and very good quotes. The quotes were the outstanding features of the press releases – all from Dr John Reid during the period analysed. They suggest that he and his advisors know exactly what the media wants in terms of ‘soundbite’ quotes. The only slight criticism was that the press releases (other than the quotes) were written in a slightly cool, dispassionate way. The Scottish Executive’s releases are somewhat more informal. But that’s a minor criticism – these give journalists all they need.