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Dealing with the Media Effectively

Dealing with the Media Effectively. 1LT Ray K. Ragan ray.ragan@us.army.mil 123 rd MPAD Arizona Army National Guard. Administration. Safety Emergencies Terminal Learning Objectives Who is the media Understand how to speak with the media Understand how the media works

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Dealing with the Media Effectively

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  1. Dealing with the Media Effectively 1LT Ray K. Ragan ray.ragan@us.army.mil 123rd MPAD Arizona Army National Guard

  2. Administration • Safety • Emergencies • Terminal Learning Objectives • Who is the media • Understand how to speak with the media • Understand how the media works • Understand the importance of the media • Understand your rights • Resources

  3. About the MPAD • Gather and distribute media to both internal and external audiences of all nations • Produce newspaper, magazine, and/or a newscast • Our last tour • Expeditionary Times – 24 page theater weekly newspaper • Balad & Beyond – 22 minute news journal on the Pentagon Channel • ESC Journal • Press & Photo Releases • Interviews • Sport events… even the Super Bowl

  4. Bios • 1LT Ragan • IT Project Manager with the State Bar of Arizona • Digital Media Platform Strategist Consultant • Combat deployed • 3 Years Army PA experience • 10 Years digital communications experience • SGT Reidy • Drug Free AZ Community Affairs Officer with Maricopa County Attorney's Office • Combat deployed • 9 Years Army PA experience

  5. Who is the Media • What is media • Media are civilians • Treat as Civilians on the Battlefield • Could be reporters, cameramen, security, etc. • All media are guests of the Army • Ask for identification and credentials • Immediately communicate higher if without • Protect and secure civilians as mission permits • Do your job first

  6. Speaking with the Media • Different types of interview • Impromptu/Battlefield • Telephone • On-camera • Press conference • All responses are “on the record”

  7. Speaking with the Media • Talk about what you know • Your job • Your past missions (as OPSEC permits) • Your home • Your personal opinions about issues at home • Not your unit • Not the Army

  8. Speaking with the Media • What not to talk about • Future missions • Casualties • Vulnerabilities • Speculation • Your personal opinions • On the mission • On the unit • The Army

  9. Techniques for Speaking with Media • You are in control of the interview • You may end the interview when you want • You DO NOT have to answer any question(s) • Relax • Be yourself • Tell the truth • Avoid Army & technical terms • Use the “grandma” test

  10. Techniques for Speaking with Media • Think before you answer • Keep answers short – don’t ramble • Answer one question at a time • Never say “no comment” • If uncomfortable, stop the interview

  11. Leaders Dealing with the Media • Take the time to meet the post PAO • Use the PAO to help get your unit’s story out • The PAO only helps with newsworthy events • Ask the PAO for a Media smart card • Command messages • Statistics • Points of contact

  12. Effective Response

  13. Effective Response • Give some information • “We haul 36,000 gallons of fuel…” • Communicate command message • “which assists us in training the Iraqi people for self-governance.”

  14. Blocking & Bridging

  15. Blocking & Bridging • Blocking • “I can’t answer that because of security reasons…” • “I don’t know the answer to that…” • “I’m sorry, that’s not my unit’s mission…” • Bridging • “but what I can tell you…” • “you may be interested to know…” • Bridge into command messages

  16. How the Media Works • Looking for sound bites • 5 to 8 second attention catching statements • Feed the news cycle • Shapes public opinion • Feeds to global news outlets • Could feed enemy propaganda

  17. The Importance of the Media • Shapes public opinion • Re-tells the Army story • Conduit between American people and the Army

  18. Your Rights • You’re in control of the interview • Answer truthfully on what you know • You answer what you want • If uncomfortable, end the interview

  19. Requesting PA Resources • Through State PA • Located @ State HQ • Coordinate early • 1LT Castillo • 602-267-2550 • SGT Wesolek • 602-629-4638 • SGT Balaban • 602-267-2590 McDowell Rd State PA 52nd St

  20. PA Resources for you • Arizona National Guard State Public Affairs • Website • http://www.azguard.gov/PublicAffairs/PublicAffairs.htm • Facebook • http://www.facebook.com/AZNationalGuard • Twitter • http://twitter.com/AZNationalGuard

  21. Questions 1LT Ray K. Raganray.ragan@us.army.mil Resources AR 360-1 Army Public Affairs Program JP 3-61 Public Affairs FM 46-1 Public Affairs Operations

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