Newly elected Democratic County Executive Ken Ulman has barred county staff from talking directly to the media during the transition, a policy that leaves critics divided.
“It shows an insecurity that you are so overly concerned there might be contradictions and inconsistencies,” said Richard Vatz, a professor of rhetoric and communication at Towson University. “I think it?s a type of information control that is unjustifiable.”
Reporters have been asked to go through the public information office for information on administration policies, a move spokeswoman Victoria Goodman said was temporary and not unusual during a transition.
The policy applies only to media at this point, and the idea is to make sure staff are on the same page, Goodman said.
“There was never an intent to restrict access,” she said, adding the policy will likely loosen after several months.
But Brian Harlin, former head of the county Republican Central Committee, said “If you have nothing to hide, you would be a little more open.”
However, many public relations experts said the policy enhances communication to the public.
The public information office can channel requests to ensure fewer disruptions to the work, and the reporter can more easily get the right sources, said Michael Smith, a communications professor at La Salle University in Philadelphia.
Filtering informationmeans more accuracy and consistency, said Karen Friedman, a communication coach based in the Philadelphia area.
“Organizations must protect themselves and must speak in a unified voice as their reputation and public image depends on it,” she said.
The change doesn?t seem to have affected Howard residents.
“I just called [the Department of Planning and Zoning] and got a direct line,” said Angela Beltram, head of the residents? group Citizens for an Open Process for Everyone.
