Goa departments told to appoint PRO to avoid negative press

In a bid to nip any negative publicity in media, the Goa government has asked all departments to appoint one of their gazetted officers as a PRO.
The government is concerned over negative publicity owing to the lack of information provided to the media on print, electronic, digital and social media platforms.
In a circular dated November 19, Information and Publicity department Secretary Sudhir Mahajan has asked all departments to appoint one of its gazetted officers as a PRO within 20 days to avoid negative publicity.
"With a view of apprising general public on a regular basis on the developmental and progressive activities undertaken by different organisations of the state government and to effectively deal with critical news emanating due to lack of information or otherwise, the government has decided to designate the officer in every department or autonomous body as the Public Relations Officer," the circular said.

The government has made the concerned PRO responsible to liase with the media monitoring cell of the department of Information and Publicity on a regular basis and if need arises, issue press statements, backgrounders through the department, it reads.
The PRO shall on real time basis monitor print, electronic, digital and social media channels and if need arises will issue appropriate rebuttals to critical or adverse coverages after proper approval from their administrative secretary, it said.