Earlier this year, Sir Michael Pitt's review of the 2007 flooding disasters highlighted the vital role played by the local press in keeping people informed during emergencies.

But he also found the media's role is sometimes hindered during the chaos of co-ordinating reponses by emergency services.

Now the Cabinet Office is carrying out a review which will sets out a framework for multi-agency response and recovery to emergency situations at a local level.

As part of the review, the Cabinet Office's media emergency forum has written to the Newspaper Society asking for industry views on what, if any, changes should be made.

The forum suggests that some changes may be made in relation to the role of citizen journalism, and the role of police commanders who coordinate media strategy for a particular incident.

The Pitt review found that the media had a "pivotal" role to play, for instance by acting as a 'friendly voice,' listening to public concerns and providing a sense of reassurance, especially to people isolated by the floods and living alone.

It said: "Local media should be supported in developing their public information role at all stages of an emergency."

But the report added: "The events of summer 2007 highlighted inconsistencies and limitations in the way in which the media fulfil this public information role."

"Evidence to the Review from media organisations described them struggling at times to engage with emergency responders during the floods.

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