ADS 504 - Agency Notices

The chapter aims to respond promptly and fully to inquiries from the news media. The Press Relations Division of the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA/PR) is responsible for coordinating all contact between USAID and the news media. USAID Bureaus/Independent Offices (B/IOs) and officers in Washington and overseas are responsible for directing all inquiries from the news media to LPA/PR and for providing necessary information to LPA/PR for response to media inquiries. In an effort to respond fully and promptly to all inquiries from the news media, all offices/bureaus and officers shall make every effort to provide complete and accurate information that meets media deadlines when contacted by the Press Relations Division (LPA/PR). B/IOs and officers, in providing information to LPA/PR for media disbursement, shall indicate which facts are cleared for release to the media and which are for the information and background knowledge of LPA/PR only. USAID Spokesperson: No USAID officer or employee shall act as a spokesperson for USAID, except as designated by LPA/PR, other than the Administrator and Deputy Administrator. News Media Contact: No office/bureau or officer other than LPA/PR and LPA/PR personnel shall initiate contact with the news media. Media Inquiries: All media inquiries, whether in Washington or overseas, shall be referred immediately to LPA/PR. The chapter also outlines the mandatory references, including the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and the International Security Assistance Act of 1978. Additionally, the chapter defines news media inquiries as requests from members of the news media for statements, comments, publications, or other information regarding USAID and related activities and programs. The effective date for this chapter is June 11, 1997, with a partial revision date of November 28, 2011. The responsible office for this chapter is LPA/AA, and the point of contact is Kamyl Bazbaz, (202) 712-5174, [email protected].