Communications policy

Overall communications policy

The task of the Swedish Competition Authority is to work for effective competition in both the private and public sectors for the benefit of consumers. The Competition Authority disseminates knowledge on the rules of competition and works towards establishing a competition-oriented view in society.

Communication is a strategic tool which the Authority uses to achieve its goals. Guidelines on how the Authority works with communication, both internally and externally, shall be clear and consistent.

The Communications Policy applies to all staff at the Authority, since everyone has a responsibility to keep themselves informed and deal with questions within their area of competence, as well as provide information about the work of the Authority.

The Communications Policy sets out the framework for the Competition Authority's communications and the means by which this is to be achieved. More specific instructions on how the work is to be carried out in practical terms can be found in the guidelines set out in the policy.

Communication should be open, understandable, objective, rapid and appropriate

"Open" means that the person(s) asking for information shall wherever possible receive it. "Understandable" means that the language we use should be simple and clear. The information provided should be correct and relevant. The information requested should be given as rapidly as possible. "Appropriate" means that we should be active and study the interests and needs of different target groups for information and communication.

Both internal and external communication are important to the Competition Authority

Effective internal communication creates the preconditions for effective external communication.

Internal information and communication are intended to provide the staff with an overview of the Authority's work, increase the competence of staff so that they can better provide a sound basis for the Authority's decisions, increase motivation, work satisfaction, a sense of belonging, as well as facilitating communication between different parts of the Authority.

Members of staff are Ambassadors and everyone has a responsibility for communication

Each member of staff is the Authority's face to the outside world. How we are understood by the outside world is largely related to how we act as an authority. Each and everyone plays an important role - we are all ambassadors for the Competition Authority.

Each member of staff also has responsibility for keeping up-to-date with information about important events taking place, both inside and outside the Authority. By being well-informed we convey a clear and objective view of the Competition Authority and the work we do.

Communication is an instrument for achieving our goals

The Authority's obligation to provide information is laid down in the Letter of Instructions from the Government. The goals of the Authority are formulated in its activity plan. Achieving these goals requires that we maintain a dialogue with those who are affected by our work. It is they rather than ourselves who determine to what extent we are successful in achieving our goals.

Communication is an active and integral part of all our work

Internal and external communication is an active and integral part of the Authority's work. This also means that communications planning is integrated in annual activity planning.

Working with questions concerning communications inevitably requires that a judgment be made in each individual case as to how a specific issue should be handled in the most appropriate way. This is the reason why the judgment of each and every member of staff is of vital importance.