APPENDIX D
TACTICS,
TECHNIQUES, AND PROCEDURES (TTP)
FOR
COMMANDERS
Tell
your soldiers that news media will show up in your area, and train your soldiers how to handle unaccredited media.Let
your soldiers talk to the media when the mission permits. Brief them in advance about what to avoid talking about, if anything.Provide
accredited media with transportation and other support when possible. It will pay off in coverage about your people and their accomplishments.Provide
media escorts when possible. This nets you a degree of influence over the coverage and helps ensure accuracy.Maintain
a professional attitude during interviews, even when the media seems aggressive. Reasoned responses will help you stay in control of the interview.Plan
for early deployment and late redeployment of PAO personnel and assets.Implement
public affairs plans during deployments for training.Allow
media access during training exercises.Invite
home station media into theater when possible.Develop
plans outlining the extent of logistical support to be provided civilian media.Ensure
balanced media coverage of all assigned or attached units. Don't send the media to the same battalion or company all the time, and don't overlook attached units.Coordinate
for
Reserve Components augmentation during contingencies.
Deploy
PAO personnel forward with the resources and mission to provide timely CI products.Establish
media centers at home stations under PAO control.Don't
stage events or activities for the media. The media should be passive onlookers to normal activities.Don't
assume that all media people are anti-military.Don't
assume that all reporters are after the same "big" story. Hometown media, especially, are hungry for slice-of-life features about ordinary soldiers and their routine activities.Don't
let your soldiers become servants of the media. Soldiers are neither required to -- nor should they -- carry equipment or run errands, even for the best-known accredited news correspondents.Don't
lose your temper when reporters ask questions you consider stupid. Such questions are usually rooted in ignorance, rather than in malice.Don't
allow media routine access to family assistance centers or casualty assistance centers at home stations.
Table
of Contents
Appendix
C - Tips on Media Interviews
Appendix
E - Initiatives that Worked at Home Stations
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