R 241200Z OCT 01 ZYW
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC//PA//
TO MARADMIN
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UNCLAS
MARADMIN 526/01
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC/PA//
SUBJ/PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND MEDIA RELATIONS SUPPORT FOR MARINE FAMILIES
/DURING OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM//
POC/MCLAUGHLIN MATT/MAJ/PUBLIC AFFAIRS/-/TEL:703-614-4309
EMAIL:MCLAUGHLINM@HQMC.USMC.MIL//
RMKS/1. PURPOSE. TO PROVIDE MARINE COMMANDERS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
PERSONNEL WITH GUIDANCE CONCERNING PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND MEDIA
RELATIONS SUPPORT TO MARINE CORPS FAMILIES.
2. BACKGROUND. HISTORICALLY, THE NEWS MEDIA AGGRESSIVELY SEEK
INTERVIEWS WITH THE FAMILIES OF SERVICE MEMBERS PREPARING FOR OR
PARTICIPATING IN MILITARY OPERATIONS. AS MARINE CORPS FORCES
PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE PARTICIPATION IN OPERATIONS AGAINST THOSE WHO
ENGAGE IN OR SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, IT IS NECESSARY THAT
BASE AND STATION PUBLIC AFFAIRS PERSONNEL OFFER GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT
TO MARINE FAMILY MEMBERS.
3. GOAL. THE GOAL IS TO ENSURE MARINE FAMILIES,
RESIDING BOTH ON AND OFF INSTALLATIONS, UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS TO
TALK WITH THE MEDIA AND THEIR RIGHT TO PERSONAL PRIVACY AND
FREEDOM FROM UNWANTED MEDIA ATTENTION.
4. GUIDANCE. BASE AND STATION PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERS SHOULD
MAXIMIZE THE USE OF KEY VOLUNTEERS AND MARINE CORPS COMMUNITY
SERVICES PERSONNEL AS INTERVIEW SUBJECTS. FURTHER, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
PERSONNEL MUST ENSURE THAT THE FAMILIES OF DEPLOYED MARINES ARE AWARE
OF THE FOLLOWING ISSUES:
A. WHILE FAMILY MEMBERS ARE FREE TO TALK WITH THE MEDIA ABOUT
THEIR ROLE AS MILITARY SPOUSES AND FAMILY MEMBERS, THEY ARE ALSO
ENTITLED TO PRIVACY FROM UNWANTED MEDIA ATTENTION. IT IS NOT
HARASSMENT IF MEDIA CALL FAMILY MEMBERS AT HOME OR STOP THEM OFF BASE
TO ASK FOR INTERVIEWS. HOWEVER, MEDIA WHO CONTINUE TO SEEK INTERVIEWS
OR COMMENTS AFTER BEING DENIED ARE GUILTY OF HARASSMENT. FAMILIY
MEMBERS SHOULD REPORT SUCH INCIDENTS TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
B. PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERS ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST FAMILIES
WITH MEDIA INTERVIEWS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT MEDIA INTERVIEWS BE
CONDUCTED ABOARD MILITARY INSTALLATIONS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL
OF THE VENUE. "POOLING" MEDIA IS A GOOD MEANS OF ASSISTING FAMILY
MEMBERS WITH A LARGE VOLUME OF MEDIA REQUESTS.
C. FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DECIDE TO TALK WITH THE NEWS MEDIA
WITHOUT PUBLIC AFFAIRS ASSISTANCE, SHOULD ESTABLISH GROUND RULES
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW TO ENSURE THE MEDIA REQUEST IS FULLY UNDERSTOOD
AND AGREED TO IN ADVANCE. FAMILY MEMBERS WHO GRANT INDEPENDENT MEDIA
INTERVIEWS ERODE THEIR PRIVACY RIGHTS AND MAY GENERATE ADDITIONAL
MEDIA INTEREST.
D. FOR SECURITY REASONS, COMMANDERS SHOULD LIMIT MEDIA ACCESS
TO SCHOOLS AND FAMILY HOUSING AREAS.
E. FAMILY MEMBERS SHOULD BE ENOURAGED NOT TO USE THEIR LAST
NAMES AND SHOULD NOT DISCUSS OPERATIONAL MATTERS TO INCLUDE LOCATION
OF PERSONNEL AND UNITS OR INFORMATION ABOUT UPCOMING DEPLOYMENTS AND
OPERATIONS.//
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