In the Houston Chronicle’s political blog is a really good quote on why you would want a public information office:
“The consequences of permitting employees who are untrained and
unsophisticated in media relations can be significant, exposing those
employees to personal liability for defamation and ethics charges, as
well as exposing the County to potential civil liability for policies
and practices that ahve a prejudicial impact on witnesses, jurors,
judges, fellow prosecutors, law enforcement investigators, and accused
defendants.”