EO Lessons Learned: Responding to the Press

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Hugh Robinson
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1 EO Lessons Learned: Responding to the Press

2 Desert Storm Press Brief February 1991

3 Briefing Outline 1. General Guidelines: Media Types and Their Importance 2. Example: Press vs. Blogs 3. Conducting Interviews 4. EO Lessons Learned Conducting an Interview with the Media Should be a Positive Thing

4 BLUF EO in the News is a Hot Topic About Unfortunate Events; But The EO Program is a GOOD NEWS STORY! Tell the Army EO Story ALWAYS Notify Your PAO if Contacted by the Media!!!!! ALWAYS Confer with PAO, SJA and your Commander Prior to Agreeing to an Interview; NOTHING is Off the Record!!!

5 Background: Why Ft Lewis? Gangs in the Military Special Agent Barfield SPC Swift AWOL Case Sexual Harassment Defense Both Cases Generated High Levels of National Media Coverage

6 Remember this: -Media are not the enemy, and should not be treated as such. -More likely to file positive stories if they are treated kindly

their Daughters and Sons We Have an Opportunity to Tell the Army s

7 Why Talk to The Media? We are Accountable to the American Citizens It s Their Dime and their Daughters and Sons We Have an Opportunity to Tell the Army s Story; to Clarify and Correctly Portray our EO Program to the Public Army Policy: Maximum Disclosure/Minimum Delay

8 Your Rights You re not required to do media interviews but they re often in your best interest to do them. You can politely delay answering a question by saying Let me think about your question and I will have to get back to you with my answer. Simply decline to answer in a polite way You would be better off talking to someone that can answer your question. Avoid using the No Comment line I really don t have anything to say about that particular issue at this time.

9 Types of Media Local Media (Soldier s Hometown or Near the Installation) Human Interest Based Readership is Familiar with or Has a Connection to the Story Less of an Agenda to the Story National/International Media Get the Scoop Aggressive, Looking for a Flashy Headline Ethical, to a Degree; Varying Agendas and Views of The Truth Can be Skeptical of Army Spokespeople Truth and Reputation are Important; Will Correct Factual Errors Bloggers Anyone with an Internet Connection and an Opinion Unregulated, Biased, Volatile; Truth is NO Obstacle Can Influence Public Opinion; Impossible to Officially Address

10 Local Media

11 Local Media

12 Local Media

13 National Media

14 National Media

15 National Media

National Media Washington Post December 14, 2006 Pg.

yesterday to 30 days in military prison for going AWOL. Army Spec.

Fort Lewis soldier who alleged harassment pleads guilty to going AWOL Tuesday, December 12, 2006 By MELANTHIA MITCHELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Army has reached a deal with a military policewoman

16 National Media Washington Post December 14, 2006 Pg. 17 Soldier Who Refused Return To Iraq Sentenced To 30 Days A soldier who refused to redeploy to Iraq with her unit amid claims of sexual harassment and coercion by her superiors was sentenced yesterday to 30 days in military prison for going AWOL. Army Spec. Suzanne Swift, 22, formally pleaded guilty to charges of being away without leave and missing a troop movement in a closed-door proceeding at Fort Lewis, Wash. Fort Lewis soldier who alleged harassment pleads guilty to going AWOL Tuesday, December 12, 2006 By MELANTHIA MITCHELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Army has reached a deal with a military policewoman from Oregon who walked away from her post and refused to return to Iraq because she said she was sexually harassed by other officers. Army Spc. Suzanne Swift, 22, of Eugene, had been scheduled for a special court-martial next month for missing movement and being absent without leave. In a deal reached Dec. 7, Swift agreed to plead guilty to the charges, Fort Lewis officials said Monday. Under the agreement, Swift avoids the possibility of a federal conviction on her record and will remain eligible for an honorable discharge once she completes her five years' service. Fort Lewis commander Lt. Gen. James Dubik has released the case back to Swift's unit, the 54th Military Police Company of the 42nd Military Police Brigade.

22 Media Interviews Understand the Questions Before Answering Never Lie or Make Up Answers Everything is On The Record Don t Use Military Jargon or Acronyms Don t Answer What if Questions. Never Speculate. Anything You Say May End up in Print or on TV Stay in Control of the Interview Stay in Your Lane - Discuss Your Area of Expertise/Direct Knowledge - or Issues at or Below Your Pay Grade

23 Lessons Learned Live Radio Interview: Talk ROA with your PAO; What will be Discussed- Why do they Want to Talk to Me, Who Else Will be On-Air? Speakerphone! Record the Interview! Have the PAO with you- Hand and Arm Signals Be Prepared for an Ambush; Know your Lane Print Media Interview: Get the Questions in Advance if Possible Do Your Homework! No Room for Personal Opinions- You are Speaking for The Army Record the Interview- Will Help if Corrections are Required

24 Lessons Learned Con t Analyze Your Situation Google the Reporter; Read their Website What is Their Agenda or Style of Reporting Use Talking Points PAO s Help is Invaluable; SJA Will Assist Keeps You On Message and Out of the Weeds Give the Reporter Homework Provide Copies of EO Training Slides, Policies, etc Invite them to EO Training (Prior Coord!)

25 Example Messages We are a Values Based Army; Dignity and Respect are Cornerstones of our EO Program The Army EO Program Provides Soldiers and Family Members a Venue to Address Concerns and Resolve Issues The EO Response System is Multi-Layered with Recurring Prevention and Awareness Training EO is a Commander s Program

26 Command EO Information As an EOA, Do not Talk to the Media (or Blog) About Case Specific EO Complaint Information, or Unit EO Trends EO SAV or Climate Survey Results Personal Opinions or Speculation on EO Issues CAUTION: Be Wary of Hypothetical Case Examples Let the Commander, PAO and SJA Determine What Information Should be Released. They Often Know More Than You Do- Some Info has to be Officially Requested and Released

27 Summary 1. General Guidelines: Media Types and Their Importance 2. Example: Press vs. Blogs 3. Conducting Interviews 4. EO Lessons Learned Conducting an Interview with the Media Should be a Positive Thing

28 Questions

29 Backup Slides Copy of a media handout I provided during an interview with 4 reporters on 5 OCT 06. I had 30 minutes to cover three hours of material Also Known As How to Teach POSH and EO Complaint Procedures in Three Slides or Less

30 Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) LTC Joel Dotterer Equal Opportunity Program Manager 5 October 2006

31 Prevention Of Sexual Harassment A Readiness Based Prevention Program Helps Commanders Ensure Good Order and Discipline Part of a Values Based Army Addresses Soldier Concerns Maintains Individual Dignity and Respect Remedy Based System; Responds to Wishes of the Individual Layered Response Options and Assistance Agencies Formal Versus Informal Complaints POSH Covers a Wide Spectrum of Actions Sexual in Nature; Can be Overt, Covert, Explicit or Implied Difficult to Investigate; Reliant on Complainant s Information Reasonable Person Standard; Not Every Allegation Can be Substantiated; Not all Require Adverse Action

32 Prevention Of Sexual Harassment Command Responsibilities Establish Systems, Policies, Procedures that Support the POSH Program Conduct POSH Training at Least Twice a Year, Refresher Training for Deployments or as Needed Respond to Allegations When Notified Allow for Individual Dispute Resolution Individual Responsibilities Be Proactive; Put the Offender on Notice When Possible Inform the Chain of Command of Serious Allegations: Directly or Indirectly Affords Commander the Opportunity to Rectify or Respond Submit Legitimate and Timely Complaints Allows for Complete and Fair Investigations

33 Complaints Informal Preferred Method of Resolution; Seeks Remedy and Gets Soldier Back to Duty Formal Soldier s Preference; Not Required to Notify Commander- Unless Desired Limited Protections; No Timelines or Formal Feedback Required Wide Spectrum of Investigatory and Response Options Command Involvement: Very Structured, Sworn Allegations and Statements, Detailed Investigation Formal Protections for all Parties and Witnesses Very Time Sensitive; Feedback Required Ability to Appeal Findings

34 Upcoming Events Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Prevention Seminar 18 October, LTG Dubik and Spouse, Ms. Basso will participate Presentation by Jackson Katz Unit Victim Advocate Training Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program October Equal Opportunity Representative Course Week of 16 October Training on EO, POSH, Cultural Awareness, EO Complaints, etc. Daily Sexual Assault Prevention, EO and POSH Briefings to Inprocessing Soldiers

35 Discussion, Questions & Comments

Appendix O EIGHTH ARMY EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Appendix O EIGHTH ARMY EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSPECTION / STAFF ASSISTANCE VISIT CHECKLIST Unit Inspected: Date: Inspector(s): Rating: SECTION I - ADMINISTRATION/POLICIES/REGULATIONS REQUIREMENTS IAW STATUS