Guidelines on Communication - Purpose, Subject Matter, and Scope

1. This decree regulates the principles of internal and external communication of the authorities and administration of the canton.

2. It applies to its institutions and corporations.

3. It does not apply to the judicial authorities.

1. Internal Communication

a) promotes a cohesive corporate culture;

b) strengthens collaborative partnerships within the administration;

c) facilitates employees in carrying out their duties;

d) fosters identification with the canton and the administration;

e) communicates and explains leadership directives;

f) enhances knowledge about the activities of other administrative sectors.

1. External Communication

a) creates transparency regarding the activities of the authorities and administration;

b) facilitates the formation of political opinions and the exercise of democratic rights by the population;

c) strengthens trust in the cantonal institutions;

d) assists the media in providing accurate reporting;

e) publicizes the advantages of the location and services of the canton and the companies performing cantonal tasks;

f) ensures communication even in crises.

1. Communication Takes Place

a) actively and transparently;

b) objectively and factually;

c) in a coordinated and systematic manner;

d) appropriately according to the situation and target audience.

1. Limits of Communication are defined by

a) overriding public or private interests according to the Publicity Act;

b) official secrecy. Accordingly, it is prohibited to disclose facts that are subject to a secrecy interest;

c) protection of personal rights (Art. 28 of the Civil Code) and criminal offenses (particularly defamation and coercion);

d) data protection legislation. Accordingly, the dissemination of personal data requires a legal basis or the consent of the affected individuals;

e) the principle of collegiality of the Government Council;

f) ongoing proceedings. Information about ongoing proceedings may be provided exceptionally if necessary to correct or avoid false reports or when immediate information is warranted for special reasons.

1. Authorities and Administration Communicate Decentrally.

1. The Executive Council informs about matters, events, or occasions that concern it as a whole council.

2. The Executive Council may inform about a cross-departmental matter as a collegial authority.

3. The Executive Council has a communications officer. He or she leads the communication working group, which consists of the communications officers of the departments.

1. The departments and the state chancellery are the principal entities responsible for communication and are tasked with providing information about ongoing matters within their area of responsibility.

2. Communication at the departmental level is carried out by the head of the department. He or she may delegate these powers.

3. The state chancellery is responsible for the technical, design, and structural specifications of the intranet, extranet, and internet presence.

1. The office and school administrations are responsible for communication within their area of responsibility.

1. Special provisions apply to communication in extraordinary situations and crises.

1. Affected parties are informed before the media. In particular, the following applies

a) In the case of decisions affecting employees, the employees and, if necessary, the State Personnel Association will be informed before the media.

b) The deadlines for sending parliamentary submissions are governed by the rules of procedure of the Cantonal Council[5].

2. Documents are sent to all accredited media professionals and media simultaneously.

1. Requests to the Government Council contain standardized information for communication (communication grid). The relevant guidelines and process documents apply.

1. Information may be subject to an embargo if necessary for the protection of overriding interests, particularly those of the persons concerned.

2. Documents from a press conference or event that are supplied to the media in advance for preparation may be subject to an embargo until the press conference or event.

1. Statements containing political evaluations are issued by the Director. She or he may delegate this task to another person.

2. Employees may make statements of a technical nature, provided that they do not contain political evaluations. Supervisors should be informed in advance if possible.

3. Departments or offices may restrict or expand the group of individuals authorized to provide information as stated in the above paragraph.

1. The Executive Council regulates the accreditation procedure.