PUBLIC INFORMATION

1
PUBLIC INFORMATION
2
AIM
This lecture is designed to highlight the
important role the Public Affairs has to
facilitate media coverage in operations, and
where you can help to facilitate. This lecture is
not a replacement for formal training by an
accredited CF Public Affairs Officer on media
awareness
3
REFERENCES

• CF media guidelines
• B-GL-300-001/FP-001, Land Ops, Chap 5
• B-GL-323-004/FP-003, COIN Ops, Chap 8

4
MAIN TEACHING POINTS

• Public Affairs or Media Operations
• PA as a Capability
• Effects of PA
• The Golden Rule
• Media Environment
• Role of PA
• Policies and Procedures for all CF Mbrs

5
MEDIA OPERATIONS
The aim of PA or media operations is to protect
the credibility and legitimacy of operations and
promote widespread understanding, through the
ensured distribution of truthful information,
thereby gaining support for military operations
while not compromising EEFI (OPSEC)
6
PA AS A CAPABILITY

• PA is to be seen as a capability within a
  formation that will provide factual information
  and will facilitate Understanding (Shoring up
  support and perception i.e legitimacy)
• PA communicates and facilitates information to
  audiences through the medium of local, national,
  and international media and other communication
  means

7
EFFECTS OF PA

• PA is an activity that has an effect on the
  psychological plane for it creates understanding
  in audiences
• Hence, PA is a key aspect of the operational plan
  
• PA staff may work under the G3 and G5 to plan and
  conduct operations the PA officer and imagery
  technicians operate in the battlespace, indeed,
  manoeuvre on the psychological plane in order to
  create this effect of understanding.

8
PAs GOLDEN RULE
To avoid giving the false impression that the
media are being manipulated in any way, a
distinction must be maintained between PSYOPS and
PA
9
THE MEDIA ENVIRONMENT
10
PA IN THE MEDIA WORLD

• Our PA Officer is not only an advisor to the Comd
  but is also our facilitator with the media world

CF Combat Camera
11
THE MEDIA ENVIRONMENT

• Visiting media
• Embedded media
• Indigenous media
• Local, regional, national, International
• Radio, print, television, web-based

CF Combat Camera
12
THE MEDIA ENVIRONMENT

• Journalists need
• Accurate and timely information
• Information sources
• Word pictures
• Our patience

• The CF needs to
• know who you are dealing with
• establish a professional rapport
• be firm, fair, and friendly

CF Combat Camera
13
PA IN SUPPORT OF THE MISSION
14
PA IN SUPPORT OF THE MISSION

• To contribute to the success of the Commanders
  mission by increasing audience knowledge and
  promote its understanding of CF operations, its
  roles and capabilities
• . . . a force multiplier

CF Combat Camera
15
PA IN SUPPORT OF THE MISSION

• Command responsibility
• Planned and coordinated
• PAOs act as specialist advisors
• All CF members are potential spokespersons
• Not only Public Affairs Officers do PA

CF Combat Camera
16
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
17
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

• CF members may agree to be interviewed
• If you want to
• In your official capacity only
• Discuss only your own job
• Dont Forget
• You are responsible for accuracy of information
• Without speculating or offering opinions on
  policy
• Respect operational security, privacy laws, legal
  proceedings

18
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

• CF members may agree to be interviewed
• Do not restrict freedom of movement
• Do not confiscate film, tapes or notes from
  media, even if classified or sensitive
  information has been inadvertently released
• Report the incident as quickly as possible
  through the chain of command

19
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

• QRO 19.14 IMPROPER COMMENTS
• No officer or non-commissioned member shall
  do or say anything that if seen or heard by any
  member of the public, might reflect discredit on
  the Canadian Forces or on any of its members

20
QUESTIONS?