Good media relations benefit the Civil Air Patrol. When CAP helps the media with the job of gathering and reporting the news, we are also helping communicate CAP’s story to the public. Through good media relations, CAP can strengthen community support and attract new members. Providing this kind of assistance also fulfills our responsibility as a corporation funded by Congress to be accountable to the public.

Here are some quick facts about Civil Air Patrol’s Media Policy:

  • Only the unit commander or qualified Public Affairs Officer (PAO) may engage the media.
  • During Emergency Services missions, only the assigned Incident Commander (IC) or Information Officer (IO) may release information to the media. Appointment of a fully qualified IO is mandatory for all emergency missions lasting, or expected to last, more than 48 hours.
  • CAP members may talk with the media about public record facts, but they must refer them to the appropriate PAO for further details. National Capital Wing has an online newsroom for this purpose on the Web at www.natcapwg.cap.gov/newsroom.
  • Federal and state laws govern a cadets’ right to privacy - if the cadet is less than 18 years of age. With the parents’ permission, almost any information can be released. However, without permission from the legal guardian, only the name, rank, hometown and unit may be released.
  • All news releases, public service announcements or other statements to the media regarding CAP events, activities, programs or members should be released through the appropriate PAO. All National Capital Wing squadrons may only release information through the wing commander or director of public affairs.
  • If a media representative contacts individual CAP members with a request for an interview or for information, those members should direct the representative to their respective unit PAO. All National Capital Wing squadrons should direct requests to the wing director of public affairs.
  • A photo release is not required prior to its release to the media if the photo being considered was taken in a public setting, e.g., encampment, weekly squadron meeting, etc. The only time a photo release form must be provided is when commercial use of a photo is anticipated, e.g., publication in a book, merchandising, etc. For mission-related photos, the sensitivity of the mission and the need to coordinate formal approval for release with the lead agency must be considered.
  • PAOs are authorized and encouraged to contact higher echelons to request assistance and are authorized to work directly with military base public affairs officers in support of CAP activities.

Click here to read the complete policy.

Click here to read the Public Affairs regulation, CAPR 190-1.

If you have questions or concerns, please enter them in the comments below. This way, everyone may learn!


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