[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 32, Volume 5]
[Revised as of July 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 32CFR705.6]

[Page 137-139]
 
                       TITLE 32--NATIONAL DEFENSE
 
                   CHAPTER VI--DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
 
PART 705_PUBLIC AFFAIRS REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 705.6  Releasing public information material to the media.

    (a) Methods of releasing information:
    (1) Release at the seat of government and/or as approved by the 
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs).
    (i) Overall responsibility for release of information rests with the 
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs). The Chief of 
Information is responsible for coordinating with him releases of 
national and international interest (and in the case of audiovisual 
material of regional interest) and for arranging for local release of 
such material if considered appropriate by OASD(PA). Information of the 
above types and also information proposed for release at the seat of 
government, with the exception of ``spot news,'' as

[[Page 138]]

described in paragraph (b) of this section, following.
    (2) Releases by local commands:
    (i) News of purely local interest may be released by the command 
concerned. Higher and coordinating authorities (such as the District 
Commandant) will be informed, when appropriate, that the release has 
been made.
    (ii) News of national or other wide interest may be released by a 
local command under the following circumstances:
    (A) The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs), having 
approved a release, directs that it be issued by the command concerned.
    (B) An event of immediate and urgent news interest, such as a 
disasterous accident, occurs at the command, and emergency announcements 
must be made as delay in issuing information would be against the best 
interests of the Navy. The officer in command will make a ``spot news'' 
release of all appropriate information considered releasable.
    (1) Copies of spot news releases made (or a description if the 
announcement is made orally) will be forwarded promptly to the Chief of 
Information.
    (2) If the situation is considered critical, the spot news release 
will be forwarded by telephone or message.
    (b) Means through which information is released to media:
    (1) Navy oriented information material (written, taped, motion 
picture, still photo) is regularly released to all media presumed to be 
interested.
    (2) Similar material is provided in response to query from a news 
media representative. The material may be produced by the Navy, or the 
newsman may be assisted in researching, filming, etc. himself.
    (3) Exclusive releases:
    (i) Information concerning naval activities may be provided on an 
exclusive basis only when a specific request or inquiry is received from 
one news media representative for material not requested by other media.
    (ii) In such cases, and assuming that the information is properly 
releasable, the following rules will apply:
    (A) If prior to the time information is given to the newsman making 
the original inquiry or request substantially similar inquiries or 
requests are received from other newsmen, the first inquirer will be so 
informed, and subsequent inquirers will be advised that a prior request 
has been received. None of the inquirers will be told the identity of 
the individuals or media who have placed these similar inquiries.
    (B) If not more than three similar requests are received, the 
information will be provided simultaneously to each inquirer.
    (C) If more than three requests for substantially the same 
information have been received before any are answered, inquirers will 
be advised as soon as possible that the information cannot be given on 
an exclusive or limited basis, and a general release covering the 
subject will be issued to all media.
    (4) News conferences:
    (i) A news conference is held when a command has something specific 
to announce to the press that cannot be handled in a news release or by 
phone call. A news conference should not be called just to get together 
with the press. A request from the press is also a reason for conducting 
a news conference. Special events, significant operations or serious 
accidents are frequent reasons for calling news conferences. If 
requested, spokesmen may be made available to the press for questions 
without specific subject matter in mind, but the press should be clearly 
informed of the nature of this meeting. Technically, this is not 
considered a news conference.
    (ii) When a news conference is held, it is essential that all 
interested media be invited to attend.
    (iii) A record of what is said should be kept. Ideally, the news 
conference should be tape recorded and a public affairs officer should 
be present.
    (iv) Official spokesmen will be prepared to answer questions in a 
frank and candid manner. If the answer would compromise military 
security, the inquirer should be so advised. If the answer is not known 
to the spokesman, he should say so and add that the matter will be 
checked and any available unclassified information provided later.
    (v) Newsmen are not normally asked to submit their questions in 
advance. If

[[Page 139]]

this is considered advisable, as in cases where highly technical answers 
may be required, the answers are prepared in advance and given to all 
attending newsmen (not just the questioner) at the news conference.
    (5) Interviews. These are similar to news conferences except that 
they involve a single newsman (who has usually requested the interview) 
and a single Navy spokesman.
    (i) Required procedures are essentially the same as for news 
conferences. However, a public affairs officer should be present only if 
desired by the person being interviewed. The interview may be taped, if 
the newsman agrees.
    (ii) Without penalizing initiative displayed by a newsman in asking 
pertinent questions, care should be exercised by the naval spokesman not 
to make a major revelation of news material to a single media outlet in 
the course of a routine interview.
    (iii) If major areas of difficulty arise in the interview, the Chief 
of Information should be notified of them.
    (6) Background briefings; ``Not for attribution''; or ``Off the 
record.''
    (i) Since there is a possibility or risk of a misunderstanding 
arising in these briefings, it is important that all concerned 
understand and agree to the ground rules.
    (ii) In general, information will not be made public unless it can 
be openly attributed to the Navy and disseminated without reservation. 
Occasionally, a backgrounder may be helpful. An example is a briefing of 
embarked newsmen in advance of an operation, providing information which 
may not be reported until the operation is over. The purpose is to help 
the newsmen understand the operation while it is taking place.