63rd RRC Media Relationsfor Family Members

How to make a positive impression in a media age

Today we’ll cover

• Types of interviews• Things to consider before agreeing to an

interview• Things to Avoid• What You Should Do• What to NEVER Do• Discussion• Questions?

Types of Media Interviews

• Telephone interviews

• Face-to-face interviews

• On-camera standup

• In studio

• Live Remote

• News conference

Things to Consider

• It is your right engage or decline any media interview

• You represent the military as much as your family member

• There is no such thing as “Off the record”

Things to Avoid

• Don’t speculate about future operations or mobilizations– OPSEC

• Please speak only for yourself or your family, and about your own feelings and experiences

• Don’t use acronyms and technical jargon– The general public won’t get it

• Be accurate in your statements. It is okay to say “I don’t know”

• Be positive: talk about your family member and how proud you are of their work

• Remember: You have the right to end an interview at any time.

What You Should Do

You should NEVER

• Air your grievances during an interview

• Reveal classified or sensitive information - this includes deployment destination, prior to leaving (location after return is okay)

• Never say, “No comment”• Don’t argue or get angry

Geraldo Rivera – best known for drawing a map in the sand during OIF I and showing the

locations of hundreds of troops in Iraq. He was temporarily banned from reporting there after

putting countless lives in danger.

Discussion Questions

• What are positive things about your family member that you could discuss during an interview?

• What are some things you shouldn’t reveal about the unit?

• Is there something your unit or family member does that creates a stronger bond during a deployment?

Questions?