The Office of Public Affairs is the principal point of contact for the Department of Justice with the news media.

The Office is responsible for ensuring that the public is informed about the Department's activities and about the priorities and policies of the Attorney General and the President with regard to law enforcement and legal affairs.

The Office advises the Attorney General and other Department officials on all aspects of media relations and communications issues. The Office also coordinates the public affairs units of all Department component organizations.

The Office of Public Affairs prepares and issues Department news releases and frequently reviews and approves those issued by component agencies. It serves reporters assigned to the Department by responding to queries, issuing news releases and statements, arranging interviews and conducting news conferences. The Office of Public Affairs issues approximately 700 news releases each year involving the activities of the Department.

The Office ensures that information provided to the news media by the Department is current, complete and accurate. It also ensures that all applicable laws, regulations and policies involving the release of information to the public are followed so that maximum disclosure is made without jeopardizing investigations and prosecutions, violating rights of individuals, or compromising national security interests.