APPPOVED FOP. RELEASE DATE: 5
21, 5
Director ol Public Affair*w Directions
During tha Junoublic Affairs Staff (PAS)-sponsored conference for Agency alumni, PAS Director Dennis Boxx outlined several now outreach initiatives the Agency will take in ita relations with tha media, intorest groups, and the general public.
ublic relations professional for th* lastears, noted that he plans co look at tha Agency's public affairs programew way. seeking out new opportunities and new approaches to getting out the Agency story while protecting sources and methods. DCI Deutch has Indicated that he wants to be more open with tho American public, declassifying where appropriate, in order to build public confidence in and support for the work of the Agency.
Boxx first hopes to improve the public's understanding of the work of the Agency and the Intelligence Corounity (IC) and the importance of intelligence in the post-Cold War world. Tha public needs to understand how CIA is changing its structure and management to meet the demands of, the role of Congressional oversight, and the need for accountability. The Agency should tell the public about its successes-and failures-in the proper context.
The Agency will also "be more aggressive in setting the record straight when we've been wronged." The Agency ls already engaging the media, as evidenced by the DCI's appearance on the McNeil-Lehrer show, his press conference, release of tho transcriptown aieeting, andeetings with reporters. The DCI will meet with editorial boards of major newspapers and PAS will send letters to the editor to correct the public record. Boxx predicts that there will be more background briefings for reporters to improve the media perspective on the real world of intelligence. In addition to the DCI, key Agency leaders will meet with the media to discuss issues In their fields.
An outreach program will aim to ensure :hat the Agency ls using every venue possible to communicate with the American people and not rely solely on the news media. Boxx plans to put out more success stories about dual use technologies being converted for civilian uae. such as the breast cancer imaging innovation and tbe use of Imagery in disaster relief. He Is working with Television Production Partners (see What's News editionf Junend other individuals in the television, movie, and entertainment industry. PAS ls also working with specialized audiences, such as veterans groups, academics, contractors and businesses, and retired government officials.
Boxx observed that the "days of unquestioned blind support for CIA and tbe IC are gone. The American people are questioning th* role and methods of tbe IC. However, the Anerican people want to support the IC and will be receptive to hearing us when we speak up. We need to regain their confidence based on goad performanceillingness to talk about it. Because wo areritical point in the Agoncy's history, we need to take now approaches to how secrecy will surviveThis is UMCIASSiriED.)
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