Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Air Force Instructions on Handling the Media
I came across this in our AFMAN 10-100, AKA the Airman’s Manual. In the real day to day military world it's very comical to read, but then again so are the procedures on surviving nuclear attacks. The amazing thing is that the ‘Handling the News Media’ portion is on page 15 of a 230+ page document. It makes me wonder who is the more important or effective force we face on a daily basis.
Examples-
The Interviewer and Audience:
Learn as much as you can about your interviewer and the intended audience.
Tailor your message accordingly.
The Record:
Always consider yourself ‘on the record.’ Never say anything you wouldn’t want printed or broadcasted.
Language:
Speak the public’s language. Avoid acronyms, jargon, or technical terms.
Arguments:
Never become a passive participant, and never argue with a reporter. Stay calm and stick to your talking points and your message.
Protect the Record:
Be sure to protect and, if necessary, correct the record.
Avoid repeating any false data or negative statements.
Honesty:
Always answer honestly.
Don’t use the cliché ‘no comment.’
If you don’t know the answer to a question, tell them.
If the answer is classified, say so.
posted by El Capitan at 7:44 AM
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