Further to Premier's Memorandum 2004-02 (New Arrangements for Government Media Monitoring) and Premier's Department Circular 2005-51 (Press Clip Monitoring Arrangements), a NSW Government press clip contract has been awarded to Media Research Group. It is planned that the new monitoring service will commence 1 October 2006.

The new service will be a hard copy service and restricted to significant government issues. The service will be provided to all Ministers' offices and agencies and will cover metropolitan, suburban and regional clips. Premier's Department will meet all costs (other than exemptions) on the basis that orders (keywords) are placed with, and approved by, MMU. Any exemptions from the arrangement will require approval by the Director General, Premier's Department.

MMU will provide further details of the service direct to all Media Managers during the next few weeks. In the meantime, it would be appreciated if you could request the Media Manager or responsible officer in your agency to email a copy of your agency's keyword brief for press clip services to [email protected] by 4 August.

In accordance with Premier's Memorandum 2004-02 agencies should not engage commercial organisations separately for press clips monitoring services once the new service commences. Existing service providers should be provided with at least one-month's notice that their services will cease on 30 September.

References to agencies in this Circular do not include State Owned Corporations (SOCs), although SOCs are encouraged to use the service provided through Media Research Group. Access by SOCs to the service, on a cost recovery basis, may be arranged through MMU.

The new arrangements are consistent with the Government's policy of achieving savings across the public sector.

Col Gellatly
Director-General

updates M2004-02 and C2005-51