• Home
  • Download PDF
  • Order CD-ROM
  • Order in Print
Media Ground Rules
Background Information - 14129_114

Journalist 1 & C - Advanced manual for Journalism and other reporting practices
Page Navigation
  92    93    94    95    96  97  98    99    100    101    102  
long as they are in the theater of operations and to return them  when  they  leave.  The  badges  must  contain  a statement  that  they  are  the  property  of  the  U.S. government and that the holder will turn in the badge and identification tags if ordered to do so by public affairs  personnel.  Normally,  only  the  issuing  CIB  will revoke  badges  and  identification  tags  for  cause.  Make sure base security personnel know what the badges look like.  In  some  situations,  provide  the  credentials  at  an off-base   location. FOLLOW-UP  ACTIONS Periodically  credentials  should  be  reviewed, revalidated  or  withdrawn.  Credentials  should  only  be withdrawn  following  a  change  in  the  reporter’s  status, upon  request  by  the  sponsoring  news  organization,  or for  cause  when  ground  rules  have  been  violated. Commanders  should  report  violations  of  ground  roles  or any action that threatens operational security through command   channels   to   the   credentialing   PAO   for appropriate action. DISSEMINATING  NEWS Learning Objective: Identify  the  methods  used  in disseminating news to the media. The CIB establishment plan will not be complete without a section on how you will disseminate news to the media. No matter how simple or elaborate your plans may be, the key to success in this area is remaining flexible, especially when plans go awry. Certain  actions  help  provide  the  news  media  with the best information in the shortest time. This is the very heart of a CIB and close attention should be paid to the following   activities:    news briefings and conferences, interviews,  news  releases,  background  information, bulletin   boards,   photo   boards   and   audiovisual equipment and materials. NEWS BRIEFINGS AND CONFERENCES Media members must be informed of the time and location  of  news  briefings,  usually  held  twice  daily  for update briefings. News briefings are used to update reporters on the situation, to announce the availability of  escorted  transportation  and  to  answer  or  take  news media  queries.  Daily  briefings  may  be  held  in  the morning and evening. Briefers are normally PAOs, but you may be tasked to conduct one. Special news briefings may be held whenever news interest is so great on a single action or activity that a briefing  becomes  the  most  efficient  means  of  handling media members. For instance, if a helicopter crashes in isolated terrain during an exercise, a special briefing can be held to inform the media of the accident, to organize a media pool to fly to the accident site or to release information as it becomes available. A  news  conference  is  a  type  of  news  briefing irregularly held. It is characterized by the attendance of the  CO  or  other  military  experts  who  will  issue  a statement and provide answers to news media queries. Usually, such conferences are centered on a specific topic, although the media may (and probably will) ask questions  on  unrelated  material.  Make  every  effort  to inform  media  members  of  upcoming  news  conferences, and they should be given adequate time to arrive for the briefing. Under  extraordinary  circumstances  the  CO  and  the PAO  may  choose  to  brief  participating  reporters  about future  operations.  Such  background  briefings  are conducted  with  the  agreement  that  information  will  not be reported until no harm could come from its public release. Background briefings are risky. Do not give background briefings unless a high degree of mutual trust  and  respect  exist  between  the  Navy  and  the reporters involved. Violation of such trust is grounds for immediate withdrawal of accreditation. INTERVIEWS Reporters  sometimes  have  specific  requirements  for information that is best collected through personal, one-on-one  interviews.  Such  interviews  should  be scheduled as often as possible when requested by news media  and  when  the  interviewee  agrees,  The  CIB concentrates many news media in a small area with all working  from  the  same  information.  Interviews  allow different, more complete and more credible reporting opportunities for news media. When possible, especially when requested by the interviewee, you should record these interviews. NEWS  RELEASES Military  journalists  and  photographers  have  story and photo opportunities their civilian peers do not have. Accordingly,  the  CIB  prepares  releases  when  something newsworthy  occurs.  These  releases  should  only complement the stories being released by the media. Avoid  duplicating  or  competing  with  the  efforts  of  the news  media  and  releasing  hard-sell  pitches  about  the military. Let military actions speak for themselves. 3-9







Western Governors University

Privacy Statement
Press Release
Contact

© Copyright Integrated Publishing, Inc.. All Rights Reserved. Design by Strategico.