Contact with Media

Purpose: 

This Order outlines the procedures General Services Administration (GSA) employees will use when interacting with representatives of the news media in their official capacities.

Background: 

1. In October 1991, the authority to conduct media relations on behalf of GSA was stated in GSA Order OHR P 5440.1, GSA Organization Manual — Ch. 15, OCSC,  as delegated to the Office of Citizen Services and Communications (OCSC). This authority included the provision of information on GSA activities to the media as well as agency customers, stakeholders, and the public, with OCSC serving as the official point of contact for press inquiries.
2. In May 2010, through GSA Order ADM 5440.627, Changes in GSA Organization (OCSC), GSA divided OCSC into the Office of Citizens Services and Innovative Technologies (OCSIT) and the Office of Communications and Marketing (OCM), which, through its Public Affairs Division, maintained the authorities, functions, positions, and other resources to continue its media relations function.
3. In August 2016, through GSA Order ADM 5440.706, Changes in the Office of Communications and Marketing, GSA reorganized OCM into the Office of Strategic Communication (OSC), which included a Media Affairs Division that maintained all the authorities, functions, positions, and other resources as OCM’s Public Affairs Division.
4. In November 2018, through GSA Order ADM 5450.39D CHGE 11, Delegations of Authority Manual, Chapter 10, Office of Strategic Communication, GSA delegated to OSC the authority to issue press releases, official communications, speak on behalf of the agency, and review and approve all official statements and talking points of significant agency policy.

Applicability: 

1. This Order sets forth policy governing the release of public information from GSA to the news media. The term “news media” is generally defined as individuals and organizations that publish or broadcast information to targeted or general audiences and will be determined by OSC. “Public Information” is defined as official information in any form provided to news media, especially information that has the potential to generate significant media or public interest or inquiry. Examples include but are not limited to the following:

   1. Press statements.
   2. Press releases.
   3. Media advisories.
   4. News features.
   5. Blog postings.
   6. Official social media updates and postings (whether made through an official GSA social media account or in an official capacity per OSC Directive 2106.2, GSA Social Media Policy).
   7. Interviews with a member of the news media (formal or informal).
   8. Any public information communicated (whether on the record, on background, or off the record) by a GSA employee while serving in their official capacity to a member of the news media. 

   Not included under this definition are publicly released agency reports and plans, web postings of publicly-releasable information through GSA’s official web presence regarding routine business (not making news breaking announcements), and scientific information including that presented at professional meetings or in professional journals.

2. Contact with the news media is an integral and ongoing part of the overall GSA effort to communicate its mission activities to the public and earn confidence in agency activities. Before employees (and contractors, as applicable) speak to or correspond with the news media on topics within their areas of expertise, all news media contacts must first be coordinated and approved by the OSC Media Affairs team and any other appropriate representative designated by OSC. 
   
   Any GSA employee who receives a request from a member of the news media should immediately contact OSC by emailing the request or information about the request to press@gsa.gov. 
    
3. The procedures in this Order are intended to ensure a well-coordinated, accurate, and timely release of information on GSA’s projects, programs, priorities, and activities.
    
4. This Order does not authorize or require disclosure of information that is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) or otherwise restricted by statute, regulation, Executive Order, or other Executive Branch policy or GSA Orders. Examples of information not releasable under this Order include:
    
   1. Information, without limitation, that is or is marked as classified information.
   2. Controlled Unclassified Information (e.g., procurement sensitive information, trade secrets, and proprietary information).
   3. Sensitive building information.
   4. Attorney-client communication.
   5. Privacy Act protected information.
   6. Pre-decisional information.
       
5. This Order applies to all GSA employees and contractors as they perform their duties. The following are exceptions:
    
   1. GSA contractors must adhere to the applicable contractual provisions and regulations when speaking concerning GSA services, and must adhere to this Contact with News Media Directive as set out in the applicable GSA contracts or when representing or speaking on behalf of GSA as part of their GSA-related duties.
   2. The Office of Inspector General (OIG), given its independence under the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008 (5 U.S.C. §§ 401-424).
   3. The Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, due to its independent authorities.

Cancellation: 

1. This Order supersedes the previous version, OSC 1808.4 Contact with News Media.

Summary of Changes: 

1. This version removes the mentions of GSA regions.