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1987 ALASKA PRSA AURORA AWARD CATEGORY #8, "OTHER" SUMMARY I. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this public affairs campaign was to; 1. Locate all the factual information available about the incident and make it available to the public. 2. Reduce and eliminate rumors, speculation, and false statements by employees and persons not involved or knowledgeable. 3. Respond to the public inquiry in such a manner that the agency integrity, dignity, and respect is maintained by both employees (morale, etc.) and non-employees. 4. Respond in a timely manner with all material and explanations to preclude a "cover-up" accusation. Create and provide interpretative material about complicated technical aspects so subject can be easily understood and reported. Comply with all legal aspects of the United States Freedom of Information Act. Maintain the dignity and integrity of the Japan Airlines flight crew. Obtain agency policy and recommendations for release in a timely manner. 9. Release all material simultaneously to media sources and public on a national and international basis so none have a "scoop story" advantage over another. II. PLANNING: Initial plans called for documenting and retaining the evidence, investigating the incident, and waiting to see if there was any media interest. Announcing the incident in any way was avoided as this would place the integrity of the agency and the flight crew in question by appearing to "grandstand". There was an initial response period to the media and public in which significant additional material about the agency's role in the incident was uncovered. This occurred on a daily piecemeal fashion as additional investigation of agency staff revealed information not previously considered relevant. Upon the advice of the Public Affairs Office the release of information was intentionally shut off until all available data could be collected, reviewed, analyzed, described, conclusions reached, and released at one time thereby eliminating the increasing appearance that the agency was either incompetent or did not consider the incident as serious. National and international media and public interest was both un- anticipated and intense. Many requests filed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) were received as a result of the publicity. The agency, by law, must respond to these requests in 10 working days. The following plan, approved by the Director, was set forth January 5, 1987 by the Public Affairs Office. COO ON OO UU