immediate  external  releases.  Some  of  this  information can also be included in press kits (as in the  Midway  fire) or used in briefings. THE INITIAL NEWS RELEASE The initial news release on an accident should give as much information as possible unless the disaster is of such  magnitude  that  information  about  it  is  to  be released from the seat of government. Remember, after you first receive notification of the accident or incident, you have one hour  to disseminate the initial news release to the media.  DO NOT delay  the  release  until more  information  becomes  available  or  while  awaiting the  results  of  an  investigation. The following information, if available, should be contained in the initial news release of an accident: l l l l l l l A The specific type of accident that has occurred The location and time of the accident The  persons  involved  (subject  to  requirements  on notification  of  next  of  kin) The places of departure or destination of any vehicles  involved  (including  vessels,  aircraft, missiles,  etc.) The  type  of  equipment  involved,  unless classified The  unclassified,  pertinent  facts  about  the mission at the time of the accident A statement regarding whether a board of inquiry is investigating or will investigate the accident release of this kind follows the standard Navy policy of releasing as much information as security con- siderations  permit.  Additionally,  it  provides  the  news media with information to convey to the general public and  discourages  rumors. Never speculate about the cause of an accident or responsibility for the mishap. The standard statement is, “An  investigation  is  being  conducted  to  determine  the cause  of  the  accident.” COOPERATING WITH THE NEWS MEDIA Learning  Objective: Recognize   the   Navy's   public affairs   role   in   cooperating   with   news   media representatives  during  a  disaster. The first hours of a disaster are hectic and tiring. The public affairs staff cannot afford to take a break in the critical hours following the initial release. You must gather  more  information  to  answer  the  inevitable questions which will follow. The direct responsibility of the PAO and his staff continues until the interest of the press  and  public  is  satisfied. Mere  cooperation  by  the  Navy  with  the  news  media will not guarantee sympathetic handling of the facts in an unfortunate situation. News people have a job to do and will do it whether the Navy cooperates or not. While putting the initial release together, let media know you are doing so and find out their deadlines. Try to get the reporters  something  within  their  time  lines.  Being proactive,  initiating  media  contact  versus  “responding to query,” establishes a more credible relationship with the media–especially under negative circumstances. Cooperation, however, will often result in a more accurate and undistorted picture of the situation. If the facts  are  presented  carefully  and  candidly  as  they become available, reporters are more likely to report them objectively. There is also less margin for error and less  chance  for  misinterpretation. If the Navy refuses to cooperate, reporters have no alternative  but  to  start  looking  elsewhere  for  informa- tion. In an accident or disaster situation, a reporter will not hesitate to interview any bystander in an effort to get information.  But  if  the  reporter  knows  that  the  public affairs  representative  is  doing  all  in  his  power  to cooperate  and  obtain  up-to-the-minute  information,  he will prefer to wait for authenticated facts. He will prefer to hear the facts presented by an official spokesman or the officer in command. At the scene of a disaster, reporters are the repre- sentatives of the public. Through their eyes, the public learns  what  has  happened,  how  it  happened  and  the  other details that are available. The public’s first impression of the situation and the Navy will be made by what they see in print, hear on the radio or watch on television. It is important that these impressions be unbiased and undistorted  from  the  beginning. Attributes for Dealing with the Media in a Disaster There  are  five  attributes  that  contribute  to  the success  of  media  relations  in  a  disaster  situation: accuracy, initiative, honesty, impartiality and good taste. 2-23