As a public affairs officer you have the responsibility to read and understand the information environment, here are the things you should scan daily. Since you’ll find interest while scanning you will end up reading some, then re-reading and maybe reading again:
Local news: Maybe you don’t subscribe to the newspaper (if there is one) in your locale but you should be reading at least the biggest newspaper in town. We all recognize names like the Fayetteville Observer and the Leaf Chronicle; what are your versions of this. Also, you better get to know the journalists who report on the military beat from these outlets.
Columbia Journalism Review: When you give this a daily look, you’ll see the issues our journalist colleagues are dealing with. I don’t know if they know we are reading but the journalists and media professionals who wrote here are often hard on themselves and their profession. It’s smart to know and understand the issues journalism people think are important.
National News: Because PAOs must keep an eye on the big-strategic picture, who else in your command has an eye on what’s going on in DC and around the world? You should know the names of the people who report, the focus and perspectives of the day. Wapo National Security. Catch what’s important in The NY Times by subscribing to the daily newsletter. Why those papers? You’re choice, we consider these the agenda-setting papers in DC.
Communication Takes: Because you’re a communication professional who provides advice to your command and its members. Seth Godin puts out a thought-provoking, communication-focused daily blog. Listen to or read the likes of Joe McCormack.
Sure – There’s plenty more to read and listen to. Remember books and podcasts too. Maybe some garbage on #MilTwitter. MaxDis anyone?
Time is our only truly limited resource. Spend it wisely. Use this guide for your daily scans to keep a pulse on what’s going on – it’s our job.
Photo by Sgt. James Geelen
