TPO 2.6: Public Affairs

Question 1

What is the definition of external affairs?

Answer 1

The program the Coast Guard uses to engage and communicate with the public and stakeholder groups

Question 2

What are the 5 main groups that are encompassed by External Affairs?

Answer 2

1.) Public affairs
2.) Congressional affairs
3.) Tribal affairs
4.) External outreach and heritage
5.) Coordination of operations and outreach activities

Question 3

What are the 2 types of public affairs?

Answer 3

1.) Media relations (one way)
2.) Social media (two way)

Question 4

PA is a responsibility of ___.

Answer 4

command

Question 5

What is the main duty of the public affairs officer, and what are the 5 ways they go about accomplishing it?

Answer 5

Main duty: tell the Coast Guard story
1.) Liase with district public affairs office
2.) Manage unit’s Social Media sites
3.) Take photos/video and encourage operators to take photos/video and share with local PA office
4.) Seek opportunities for media engagement and coordinate with local PA office
5.) Facilitate interviews when applicable

Question 6

The media is a ___ trying to deliver a ___ to their consumers.

Answer 6

business, product

Question 7

What are the 6 things you need to know when reporting to the news?

Answer 7

1.) Who’s who
2.) Deadlines
3.) Capabilities
4.) Audience
5.) Preferences
6.) Mindset

Question 8

Why does the media sometimes want to talk to you in particular over PAs?

Answer 8

Public affairs specialists can talk “generally” about anything, but you have higher credibility as the SME with your knowledge and experience

Question 9

What are the 2 things the media wants from you?

Answer 9

1.) Clear, concise, and factual answers
2.) Great imagery

Question 10

What is the saying for the proper release of information?

Answer 10

Maximum disclosure with minimum delay

Question 11

Consider whether you have the ___, ___, and ___ to release information.

Answer 11

ability, authority, and competency

Question 12

What is the SAPP Rule regarding limitations for the release of information?

Answer 12

Security: Don’t release classified or sensitive OPSEC info
Accuracy: Facts only
Policy: Make sure your answer is IAW unit, district, area, and HQ policies
Propriety: Are you the right source for the info? Use your best judgement to answer questions

Question 13

What are the 3 most important rules to follow for acing an interview?

Answer 13

1.) Set ground rules
2.) Never say “No comment”
3.) You are always “On the Record”

Question 14

What is the LPTR Method for acing an interview?

Answer 14

Listen: What exactly is the reporter asking you?
Pause: Don’t immediately react, first stop to…
Think: About what you’ll say and how to say it
Respond: Answer the question and bridge to your key messages

Question 15

What are the 2 things a press release is used to inform?

Answer 15

1.) The media about a newsworthy event or to provide more info about an ongoing case in a clear, easily understood manner
2.) A number of media outlets simultaneously about a newsworthy event

Question 16

What is the purpose of headlines?

Answer 16

To quickly tell what happened without exaggeration (“Coast Guard what happened”)

Question 17

What is the structure of a news release from least to most important facts?

Answer 17

Body –> Bridge –> Lead

Question 18

What is the purpose of the Lead?

Answer 18

Used to answer: Who, What, Where, When

Question 19

What are the specifications of the Lead?

Answer 19

It is one sentence (30 words or less) and should be emphasized within the first 5/6 words following the dateline

Question 20

___ are almost always your lead emphasis.

Answer 20

People

Question 21

What are the 2 purposes of the Bridge?

Answer 21

It is a transition paragraph that connects the lead to the body to answer the “why” and “how” if available, and also to fully ID any impersonal “who” mentioned in the lead

Question 22

What is the purpose of the Body?

Answer 22

Where you tell the “rest of the story” and list all remaining pieces of releasable info in descending order of importance, and allows an editor to safely chop from the bottom up to make a story fit

Question 23

What is a Media Advisory?

Answer 23

Invites the media or public to your event

Question 24

What are the 3 capacities in which social media is utilized in CG Public Affairs?

Answer 24

1.) Official: Content posted by USCG Personnel pertaining to official duties
2.) Unofficial: Content posted about the Coast Guard but not speaking in an official capacity
3.) Personal: Not speaking as a Coast Guard member and the Coast Guard is not the subject

Question 25

What are the 5 social media engagement tips for CG members?

Answer 25

1.) Be respectful
2.) Stay in your lane
3.) Understand online privacy
4.) Avoid trolls
5.) Be an ambassador