ABOUT US

Information and Public Relations Department – An introduction

Founded in 1956, Information & Public Relations Department (I&PRD) has grown over the years as the nodal agency for information services and media relations in the State. The department serves as a channel of communication between the general public and the government.

With our motto “Serving information real-time” the Department of Public Relations, was one of the early departments set up immediately after the formation of Kerala State in 1956. Later, the department changed its name into Information and Public Relations. The understanding of the public vis-a-vis the overall activities of the government is being achieved through innovative communication ideas and timely public relations interventions. The department also gathers feedback that serve as vital inputs for the government to formulate new policies and to make improvements on exiting ones.

To keep up with the increasing impact of social media and the frequent innovations in the sector, Information and Public Relations Department has a dedicated division for the purpose to handle Live Cast of Chief Minister’s press meets, publishing SSLC, HSE, Election results through PRD Live Mobile App; offering exclusive updates from Government of  Kerala through the portal – www.kerala.gov.in, www.keralanews.gov.in, and Clip Mail service; which is an online platform providing high quality news video clips to media.

I&PRD also reaches out to the public through its periodicals viz. Samakaalika Janapadam- a monthly in Malayalam and Kerala Calling- a monthly in English and Media Handbook- an annual publication featuring contact details of various ministries, departments and media. The department also has a credible presence in the electronic media through programmes like Janapadham- a radio documentary broadcast in AIR FM channels, Priya Keralam- a news oriented weekly programme on DD Malayalam, Naam Munnottu– Chief Minister's weekly interactive programme telecast on Doordarshan and private channels and Navakeralam- a weekly programme on Asianet. Radio Kerala- is the Internet based radio service of IPRD. The Press Release division handles the direct news feed to all media. IPRD is also entrusted with policy formulation pertaining to journalist pension, advertisement and media accreditation etc.

The Directorate of Information & Public Relations is located in the Ground Floor at South Block, Government Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram. The department has 14 district information offices at respective District Headquarters and one Information Office at Kerala House, New Delhi.

The Department is headed by a Director, who is in charge of the day-to-day works of the department. Administrative head of the department is the Secretary. The Director is assisted by Additional Directors, Deputy Directors, Information Officers, Assistant Editors and Assistant Information Officers. On the Administrative side, the Director is assisted by a Deputy Secretary, Accounts Officer and Section Officers along with other administrative staff under them.

Our divisions are designed and promoted to strengthen the news feed network in the entire State of Kerala. We offer our services through various divisions:

1)    Advertisement- Print (Advertisement and Marketing)
2)    Advertisement- Electronic Media (Advertisement and Marketing)
3)    Audio- Video Documentation 
4)    Circulation & Distribution (Publications)
5)    Co-coordinating News Editor
6)    Cultural Development (Field Publicity and Cultural Affairs)
7)    English Editorial (Publications)
8)    Field Publicity (Field Publicity and Cultural Affairs)
9)    Malayalam Editorial (Publications)
10)    Journalist & Non-Journalist Pension 
11)    Photography
12)    Planning & Development
13)    Press Release
14)    Programme Production
15)    Research & Reference (Publications)
16)    Scrutiny
17)    Web & New Media

Mission and Vision

Timely dissemination of information on government policies, schemes and programmes through online, print and electronic media. Incorporate the best among newer avenues of communication technologies and seamlessly integrate them for effective audience reach and strengthening of feedback system.

Activities

The activities of the Department of Information and Public Relations: 

•    Audio-visual coverage of all government programmes
•    Issuance of daily press releases from Directorate and District Information Offices
•    Production and live cast of Hon’ble Chief Minister’s press meet on daily basis in strict adherence to Covid19 protocol
•    Updation of News portal daily through district feeds
•    Publication of two monthly magazines viz., “Kerala Calling” in English and “Janapatham” in Malayalam 
•    Publication of special issues of Kerala Calling and Janapatham at special occasions like the anniversary, 100day, 1000 days of State Ministry etc. 
•    Publication of brochures on social and developmental issues.
•    Publication of books on subjects relating to culture, education and traditional art forms
•    Maintenance of official web portal of Government of Kerala www.kerala.gov.in 
•    Maintenance of I&PRD website www.prd.kerala.gov.in 
•    Maintenance of websites for Hon’ble Chief Minister and other ministers
•    Maintenance of All India Service (GAD Special) website www.gadsplais.kerala.gov.in
•    Maintenance of personal assets website of minister www.pa.kerala.gov.in 
•    Maintenance of website exclusively for Sabarimala temple (www.sabarimala.gov.in),
•    Maintenance of Social media communication like PRD Live Mobile App, FaceBook page, Twitter page,  YouTube Channel, Instagram page 
•    Social Media Cell- manages the website and FaceBook page of Hon’ble Chief Minister 
•    Fact Check Division- identifies the fake news circulating in social media and verifies and authenticates the content with the respective authorities concerned.  
•    Scrutinizing the news and updates in print media.
•    Functioning of information offices and news dissemination centres in all districts of the state and in the National Capital, New Delhi.
•    Organising cultural programmes in and outside the State, 
•    Screening of feature films, documentaries and short films either produced or purchased by the department, in conformity with the social and cultural interests of the state
•    Organising study tours to journalists to culturally and socially significant places 
•    Organising inter-state visits for journalists
•    Extending financial assistance to the Kerala Press Academy 
•    Functions as the professional agency for Government advertisements.
•    Issuing of various departmental advertisements to newspapers and settling advertisement charges.
•    Fixing advertisement or tariff rates for various media
•    Presenting awards to media professionals of excellence 
•    Extending financial assistance to journalists and their dependents in distress.
•    Pension to retired journalists
•    Pension to eminent journalists
•    Pension to non-journalists in newspaper establishments.
•    Facilitating media reporting of government functions.
•    Organizing publicity programmes using multimedia technology
•    Arranging video conferencing for ministers and higher officials