SAC Seattle to all agents re press matters and media relations policy
This copy: Part 63 pp. 143–144Also filed at Part 38 pp. 275–276 (primary)
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SAC to all agents re press matters and media relations policy
Document date 27 October 1976
Another copy of this document is the primary, most legible copy: Part 38 pp. 275–276.
Copies may differ in what was redacted.
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Id: Cooper-Part-63:143-144
Subject: Cooper Files: Cooper-Part-63:143-144 Document: Memo SAC to all agents re press matters and media relations policy Id: Cooper-Part-63:143-144 Page: https://cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-63%3A143-144 What is wrong (title, date, type, which pages belong together, copies)? What does the scan show?
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FBI 164-81, Vault Part 63 pp. 143–144 (DB Cooper-26539–26540), Memo, dated 27 Oct 1976 — cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-63%3A143-144
OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 JULY 1973 EDITION GSA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.6 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum
TO : ALL AGENTS [REDACTED] FROM : SAC, [REDACTED] SUBJECT: PRESS MATTERS DATE: 10/27/76
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For the past several years, the FBI, like many other Governmental agencies, has had an "open door" policy with all members of the news media, with the result that each Division now has a Special Agent who operates as that Division's news media relations man. It is his responsi- bility for establishing and maintaining relations with all news media personnel and to handle all routine inquiries. The Bureau has instructed that whenever an inquiry is received from a newsman, whether or not this particular reporter has or has not written favorable or unfavorable articles about the Bureau, he should be treated as courteously as possible. Naturally, if the person is inquiring about policy matters, the inquiry should be referred to the SAC, or in his absence, the ASAC.
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With regard to matters pertaining to pending inves- tigations, future arrests or major cases, there appears to be some confusion, therefore, for the purpose of clarification, I would like to point out the following:
1. Routine inquiries in Headquarters City should be directed to SA [REDACTED] (News Media Representative for this Division), and in his absence the SAC or ASAC.
2. Routine inquiries at Resident Agencies are to be handled by the Senior Resident Agent unless it is a case that has received some notoriety or is going to get an inor- dinant number of inquiries, then it should be referred to Headquarters City. The Senior Resident Agent is the only person authorized to talk with the press, and he should make certain that any statement is in accordance with current existing regulations.
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SEARCHED ......... INDEXED ........ SERIALIZED... FILED...... OCT 28 1976
164-81-[illegible] [guess: Sub] C
Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan
DB Cooper-26539
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Sub C
b6 b7C
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[REDACTED]
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3. Whenever a case Agent has an investigation of any consequence or a major incident occurs, i.e. shooting, arrest of well-known figure, it is his responsibility to promptly notify the SAC, ASAC, and SA [REDACTED] in order that all inquiries can be properly handled. The case Agent should not hesitate to notify the above, even though the incident occurs over weekends, holidays, or after normal working hours.
4. Case Agents are not to offer opinions, state- ments, or speculations about cases when they are approached by members of the press during or after investigations.
Concerning the above items, it should be pointed out that the D. B. COOPER case is receiving a great deal of publicity because of the approaching anniversary date of the hijacking. In order that the FBI can speak in "one" voice about this case, it is important that all press inquiries be referred to headquarters. This is to avoid inconsistencies such as individual Agents speculating about what might have happened in the COOPER case and these inconsistencies being pointed out by the members of the media.
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I again want to point out that the FBI's policy with the press has been established by the Director and has been approved by the Attorney General. This policy is general in nature and common sense should dictate in most instances how a particular incident should be handled; however, the above guidelines are being reiterated at this time. If there is any doubt in your mind about how to handle a particular situation, it should be resolved in favor of immediately notifying the SAC, ASAC, or news media representative.
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DB Cooper-26540
Serials: SE 164-81