Findings from a Citizens' Jury on Scottish Executive Communications

The following is a summary of the main Phillis Review Group conclusions as they relate to the Scottish Executive:

The three way breakdown in trust between government and politicians, the media, and the general public has led to disengagement with political processes, especially among young people and certain black and minority ethnic groups
There is a need for radical change to build trust
An impartial civil service plays an important role in building trust in communications
Politicians and the media should consider how their behaviour affects public trust and confidence in government
Modern government should be based on the following principles:
- Openness, not secrecy
- More direct, unmediated communications with the public
- Genuine engagement with the public as part of policy formation and delivery and not as a communications' afterthought
- Clear presentation of government policies / achievement
- Use of all relevant channels, and not over-reliance on national press and broadcasters
- Better co-ordinated communication of cross-cutting department messages
- The civil service's political neutrality should be stressed
- Public interests should be paramount in any modernisation of government communications.

The Scottish Government