Case Study 4

Case Study 4: ´Bunching´ the release of publications

SCENARIO

An organisation realised that three high-profile releases were scheduled to be issued on the same day. One of these releases would contain figures which in the recent past had invariably caused some discomfort to Ministers.

The question arose as to whether this ´bunching´ went against the principle of ´orderly´ release. More particularly there was a concern that the organisation might be accused of flooding the market with a diverse range of statistics in order to divert public attention from one particular release.

QUESTION

Which principles and protocols of the Code of Practice are relevant to this scenario?

SUGGESTED RELEVANT PRINCIPLES

The following principles might be considered to be the most relevant to this scenario:

• Relevance
• Integrity
• Accessibility

SUGGESTED RELEVANT PROTOCOLS

The following protocols might be considered to be the most relevant to this scenario:

• Professional Competence Protocol
  Using Professional Judgement
  
• Release Practices Protocol
  Principle 1: Statistics should be released in a manner which is convenient to the widest range of users and promotes widespread access and informed debate.
  Principle 2: Final responsibility for the timing of release rests with Heads of Profession/Chief Statisticians.
  Principle 5: Release arrangements will be:
  open and pre-announced; orderly; as early as possible after compilation.
  Principle 6: Timing will not be influenced by the content of the release.

QUESTION

What recommendations do you have?  In what way does the Code of Practice influence your recommendations?

SUGGESTED RECOMMENDATIONS

The organisation took the decision to reduce the number of separate releases scheduled for release on the same day. One release was delayed by a day. Their decision was announced in ONS´s Updates.  The rationale was as follows.

The organisation decided that any undue ´bunching´ of releases could undermine the principle of ´orderly´ release. Excessive ´bunching´ would not ´take account of the needs of the media´, might discourage ´informed debate´ and ´balanced comment´ on the figures, and might even lead to accusations of ´burying bad news´.

These arguments above were seen to be stronger than the need to release the statistics as early as possible after compilation, or to keep to a pre-announced publication date.

In was also important for the organisation to inform users as soon as possible and to be open about their reasons for this decision.

 Case study as word document