Apart  from  the  moral  implications  of  indirect dishonesty  is  the  problem  of  being  caught.  Should  the media discover dishonesty in a Navy news release, the facts withheld assume new importance. Since they are discovered after the basic stories have been written, they are  singled  out  for  individual  attention. IMPARTIALITY.—  The  Navy  cannot  expect  fair treatment from the news media unless it treats all media equally. Never give information or any advantage to one news medium and withhold it from another. If you allow one reporter access to the scene of a disaster, you must allow similar access to all. This includes newspapers, wire  services,  radio  and  television  stations  and magazines. Occasionally, when there are too many reporters at the scene of a big story, the Navy must ask them to pool certain  information.  For  example,  suppose  a  dozen reporters request permission to board a ship involved in a  major  disaster.  Although  the  dead  and  injured  have been evacuated, damage control measures are still in progress.  The  ship’s  CO  or  damage  control  officer  may say that 12 reporters cannot be controlled and might interfere with operations, but he agrees to allow one or two aboard. In this situation, the 12 reporters will be asked to select one or two members of their group to go aboard and pass out the information on a pool basis. If one were a photographer, any photos he took would be distributed to all. Once the pool agreement is made, the reporters   concerned   are   morally   bound   to   share everything they saw, photographed or recorded with all members of the pool. GOOD TASTE.—  News reporters are generally careful about violating the principle of good taste. The news  media  has  its  own  unwritten  standards  that  are usually  adequate  to  protect  the  disaster  victims  or  their next of kin. There are no laws against the publication of “horror”  photographs  or  news  stories,  but  each newspaper or television station has its own code of ethics. You cannot take “censorship” actions to keep such information from being taken from the scene of the disaster. You must rely on the usual good taste of the individual  media  representative. From the Navy’s standpoint, however, you can take action to preserve good taste. This is certainly true in the case  of  Navy  photographers  whose  pictures  will  be released to the news media. A few of the things to watch for that would violate good taste include the following: . Photographs of casualties or their next of kin when they are in a state of shock l l Details  of  personal  conduct  of  a  scandalous nature Information that might prejudice the rights of an accused or a party to an investigation before these facts are brought out in open court While you cannot stop a news reporter from using a story, videotape or photograph you would consider to be in bad taste, you can provide guidance and make sure that  he  adheres  to  the  ground  rules  previously  agreed upon. Additional  information  on  media  relations  can  be found in Chapter 4  (Media  Relations). Briefing  Reporters Before briefing reporters at the CIB, you or the PAO should  prepare  a  list  of  contingency  questions  and answers to be used to respond to probable news media inquiries.   Once   the   questions   and   answers   (or statements)  are  approved,  the  senior  public  affairs representative at the scene should be given clearance to release it. As stated earlier, release authority can be identified  in  the  command  disaster  plan. Media  Identification Include special news media identification badges available for immediate issue in your CIB planning. They may consist of inexpensive plastic badges, arm bands or other similar devices that conform to your command’s security badging system. Badges can be prepared in advance, with one or more badges marked and set aside for local newspapers, television and radio stations,  and  so  forth. Under  normal  circumstances,  base  police  will  call the CIB to request an escort for media representatives at the gate. When they arrive at the CIB, log in the media members  and  carefully  verify  their  news  organization credentials (press cards). Previously prepared lists of local   media   members   are   essential   during   the verification process. As time permits, make random telephone  credential  checks  to  non-local  news  agencies for verification. When issuing the badges, explain that they must carry them at all times while on base and must surrender  them  before  leaving. Media Ground Rules When news reporters are permitted access to an accident scene, they and the command should first agree to certain ground rules which must be based on common 2-25