(U) LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF CONTACTED DIRECTLY BY THE MEDIA

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06847261
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 18, 2020
• Case Number: F-2014-01586

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Approved for Release: 2020/08/18 C06847261
(U) Learn More About What You Should Do if Contacted Directly by the Media
(U//5-0457All employees�both staff officers and contractors�have an obligation to report all
intended or unintended contact with the media including with blog and wiki representatives,
academic researchers, photographers, and reporters
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(U/IF.Goe0) Employees interested in writing something for publication�from submitting a Letter to the Editor to authoring a
children's book�must complete an OA request before initiating any contact. Additionally, all materials that mention CIA,
intelligence data or activities, or subjects about which an employee had access to classified or national security
information, must first be reviewed by the Publications Review Board.
(U) Employees are encouraged to contact OPA's Media Relations Branch at
concerns related to the media. Download the
repercussions of unauthorized disclosures of classified information.
Frequently Asked Questions about Contact with the Media
intith any questions or
o better understand the
Q. (U) I am interested in starting my own gardening blog, do I need to contact the Office of Public Affairs?
A. (U/IF-0440 No, but you should complete an Outside Activities (OA) form via the OA website to receive appropriate
guidance. If you are contacted by the media to discuss your blog or to provide commentary on the subject of your blog,
you will have to complete an additional OA form before talking with media.
Q. (U) Can I "follow" or "friend" journalists and news outlets on Twitter and other social media websites?
A. (U//FOU0) Yes. Employees should be cautious, however, when reposting or "retweeting" a news item, or providing
commentary on a news item that relates to intelligence
Q. (U) Do these media guidelines apply to me when I'm on leave without pay or when I retire?
A. (U/LE0.4430) Yes. All employees signed a binding nondisclosure agreement to safeguard classified information
throughout the course of their life. If you are contacted by the media to discuss intelligence-related matters, no matter your
employment status, you are asked to contact the Office of Public Affairs at r via e-mail to
Additionally, all employees�current and former�are required to receive pre-publication review of material that touches on
issues of intelligence, foreign policy, and/or other matters relevant to their CIA employment through the Publications
Review Board.
Q. (U) I am still good friends with many former CIA officers who sometimes ask me about intelligence matters, what should
I do?
A. (Ui/FQUO) As with all intelligence matters, it is crucial that you consider whether a person�employee or not�has a
"need to know," i.e., the individual must have a work-related requirement for access to the information not just generalized
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curiosity. If you believe that the former omcer nas a legitimate requirement Tor access to the information, contact your Area
Security Officer to discuss the matter.
Q. (U) I see former senior intelligence leaders on television all the time, offering commentary on intelligence issues, why
are they allowed to contact the media?
A. (UHFOU0) All current and former CIA officers are subject to a secrecy agreement, which requires the pre-publication
review of material that touches on issues of intelligence, foreign policy, and/or other matters relevant to their CIA
employment. This obligation applies to all Agency officers, regardless of their seniority. While former CIA officers are free
to exercise their FirstAmendment rights by speaking to the media, they must abide by the secrecy agreement and other
relevantAgency regulations when doing so, or they can face serious consequences. To help ensure former officers
abide by these restrictions, the Agency has launched an effort to remind formers of their secrecy obligations through an
annual annuitant conference, liaison with retiree organizations and other outreach initiatives aimed at former officials.
(This article is UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY.)
Modified: 4/4/2014 5:21 PM
Published: 4/4/2014 8:23 AM
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