Whatever the arrangement, RPs should
maintain a good system of recording upcoming
events to assure complete coverage and publicity
of all activities included in the CRP which the
command chaplain and other religious program
personnel have earmarked for publicity.
PUBLICITY MEDIA
Numerous print and nonprint formats may
be used in developing materials to disseminate
information. Printed formats include informa-
tion sheets, fliers,
brochures, pamphlets,
posters, business cards, newletters, magazines,
newspaper articles, directories, and charts. Non-
print formats include radio and TV spots/
programs, sound/slide presentations, speeches,
briefings, photos, videotapes, cassette tapes,
and special film showings. Information about
the target audience and the purpose of the
publicity effort will greatly influence the
medium selected. When selecting a medium for
publicity, you must consider cost constraints
and availability. Certain media may be available
only if there is a long lead time or only for cer-
tain official or authorized events. Other
media may be available but less effective because
they reach only a limited portion of the target
population. The RP should select the medium
that will be most effective in getting the message
across to the target audience.
Sections 5100 and 6500 of the Chaplains
Manual, OPNAVINST 1730.1, and the Depart-
ment of the Navy Public Affairs Regulations,
SECNAVINST 5720.44 provide additional in-
formation in regard to publicity and the use of
various media for the purpose of publicity. The
Marine Corps Public Affairs Manual, M C O
P5720.60, offers additional guidance.
Standard Navy News Release
Certain types of information will necessitate
the use of a standard Navy news release. A Navy
news release is an official Navy statement
prepared in news story form. The release of
religious program information is accomplished
by or
Public
sonnel
with the assistance of the Command
Affairs Officer (PAO) since other per-
within the command are not authorized
6-3
to release information for public dissemination.
As a Religious Program Specialist, you are not
expected to be a journalist, but you are expected
to be able to prepare short news and publicity
drafts that concern religious program activities
and events. The command chaplain will nor-
mally provide the who, what, where, when,
and why,
information to be released.
However, the RP may be required to draft the
copies which are to be submitted to the public
affairs office.
Most public affairs offices at larger com-
mands use a printed heading for their news
releases. The headlines are attractive and help
media representatives identify the source of the
news release more readily, but they are by no
means necessary. If a printed heading is used,
it should be kept simple, concise, in good
taste, and appropriate for all types of releases.
The news value of materialnot the package
in which it comesis the important thing. A
sample release format is shown in figures 6-1 and
6-2.
Certain information should always be in-
cluded in the heading of a news release. If a
printed form is not used, the release should
include:
1. Name, address, ZIP Code, and telephone
number of originating command
2. Release date (when the material may be
used by media)
3. A release number
News releases should be double-spaced,
typed on one side of the paper only, and legible.
Economy directives regarding duplication on
both sides of the paper do not apply to news
releases.
RPs should be familiar with the form and
format of news releases used at the command to
which they are assigned. A properly prepared
draft will aid the PAO and expedite the release
of important religious program information.
TIMING OF NEWS RELEASES.The
timing of news releases is almost as important as
their content. An inappropriately timed news
release may be lost in the editorial process which
it must go through.