MEDIA RELATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE OPERATIONS Colonel Jeff Douglass

1. MEDIA RELATIONSFOR DISASTER RELIEF AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE OPERATIONSColonel Jeff Douglass

3. Performance Objective The audience will gain insight into the need for public affairs and the methods by which the operations staff may safely and effectively provide media access during disaster relief and humanitarian assistance operations.

4. Critical Elements • Basis for public domain’s “right to know” • Elements of operational security and command authority relationships for release • Various typical interactions with media • Individual responsibilities common to contact with media • Items for combined joint ops

5. “The power of democracy is the power of uncensored knowledge, of unregimented minds, of resolute action based on a realistic understanding of a realistic world”General Omar N. Bradley

6. THE PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO KNOWvs.OPERATIONAL SECURITY

7. PUBLIC INFORMATION • Operational security and public accountability are not incompatible. • We have an obligation to provide timely and accurate information to the public. • Info withheld only when disclosure would adversely affect national security or threaten safety of personnel. • Maximum disclosure with minimum delay.

8. FREEDOM OF INFO ACT • All information in possession of the government is releasable except nine specific categories of information. • These nine categories are not required to be withheld, but are allowed to be withheld.

9. National Security Internal Agency Rules Exempt by Other Statute Trade Secrets Inter/Intra Memoranda Personal/Medical Files Bank Reports Oil and Gas Well Data Law Enforcement Info (Read further) FOI EXEMPTIONS

10. Law Enforcement Exemption • Allowed, if release would: • Interfere with law enforcement proceedings • Deprive a person of a fair trial • Constitute unwarranted invasion of privacy • Disclose identity of a confidential source • Disclose investigative techniques • Endanger life or safety of another team member

11. KNOW THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT • Lead Agency sets the media policy • Typical: • Statements, releases before or during operation? • Establish rules in the operation order. • Designate the “clearing agency” in writing. • Faces ? • Nametags ? • Unit identification ?

13. TYPICAL MEDIA INTERACTIONS • Pre-planned release • Planned interviews • Press conferences • Unplanned interviews/queries • Mishap releases

14. Pre-planned Release • Serves to inform the public in advance of or during the conduct of an operation, exercise, movement, etc. • Not usually appropriate in law enforcement, other operations requiring secure planning.

15. Planned Interview • Contact / exchange with the media which is prepared and scheduled. • Questions & answers • Planned message delivery • Allows for organizational control of the process • Positive results most likely

16. Press Conference • Statement with Q’s & A’s before a media audience • Allows for positive statement, message • Ground rules should be established • Less control of direction of interaction • Effective for conclusion of operations

17. Unplanned release / inquiry • Short or no-notice encounter with media • Requires thorough understanding of agency policy regarding media exchanges • Stick with the MEDIA plan! • Always assume YOU ARE ON THE RECORD • OK to decline comment regarding current op • DO NOT LIE TO THE MEDIA !

18. Mishap releases • Statement to media as a result of a mishap, crisis, emergency or contingency • Emotionally charged • Attracts great amount of attention • Q & A portion usually confrontational • Spokesperson must acknowledge serious nature of incident, must be open and honest

19. Individual Responsibilities • Lead agency • Subordinate units • Public Affairs / Information Officer • Individual officers, agents, servicmembers

20. Lead Agency • Understand the public’s right to know • Appoint qualified, capable PAO/PIO • Include media plan in operations order • Empower PAO/PIO to perform his/her mission

21. Subordinate Units • Understand roles of operation members • Be familiar with media plan • Refer all media concerns to PAO/PIO • Contribute to effective media plan • Enforce operational security, discipline

22. Public Affairs / Info Officer Advise: OIC, higher commands Research: issues Plan: messages, responses, answers Prepare: members for media contact Execute: arrangements for interviews, etc. Monitor: media interactions Liaison: with media Review: operational process, feedback

23. Team members, agents, etc. • Know the operation order • Understand the value of the media • Let the PAO do his / her job • Be familiar with appropriate response or statement to media

24. Pre-interview Planning • Basic negotiations • Position yourself for success • Brainstorm potential questions • Answer questions in writing • Rehearse out loud • Establish the ground rules • Prepare the interviewee and the setting • Conduct the interview

25. Combined Joint OPS • Inventory and agree upon all variances • Know that the opposing forces have access • Familiarize with all media outlets • Be prepared to host media with assets • Understand different mission needs (e.g., peacekeeping, humanitarian assts, relief, civil military operations, combat……) • Market your role up and down, in and out

26. Other considerations • Political “leanings” of international media • Pressure from NGO’s top gain coverage • Fluid nature of the disaster/emergency • Hostility towards United States • Unscheduled “VIP” visits / tours • Opportunity to market your organization • Other……..?

27. Questions and Answers

28. News media reports contribute to the legitimacy of an operation and the achievement of political and diplomatic goals.Army FM 100-23, Peace Operations