Joint Publication 3-13, Information Operations - The Global ...

Core, Supporting, and Related Information Operations Capabilities
duties as one of the primary spokesmen, the public affairs officer’s interaction with the IO staff enables
PA activities to be integrated, coordinated, and deconflicted with IO. While intents differ, PA and IO
ultimately support the dissemination of information, themes, and messages adapted to their audiences.
PA contributes to the achievement of military objectives, for instance, by countering adversary
misinformation and disinformation through the publication of accurate information. PA also assists
OPSEC by ensuring that the media are aware of the implications of premature release of information.
The embedding of media in combat units offers new opportunities, as well as risks, for the media and the
military; the PA staff has a key role in establishing embedding ground rules. Many adversaries rely on
limiting their population’s knowledge to remain in power; PA and IO provide ways to get the joint
forces’ messages to these populations.
For more discussion on PA, see JP 3-61, Public Affairs.
c. Civil-Military Operations
(1) CMO are the activities of a commander that establish, maintain, influence, or exploit
relations between military forces, governmental and nongovernmental civilian organizations
and authorities, and the civilian populace. They are conducted across the range of military operations to
address root causes of instability, assist in reconstruction after conflict or disaster, or may be conducted
independent of other military operations to support US national security objectives. CMO can occur in
friendly, neutral, or hostile operational areas to facilitate military operations and achieve US objectives.
PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC INFORMATION
Information shall be made fully and readily available, consistent with statutory
requirements, unless its release is precluded by national security constraints
or valid statutory mandates or exceptions. The “Freedom of Information Act”
shall be supported in both letter and spirit.
A free flow of general and military information shall be made available,
without censorship or propaganda, to the men and women of the Armed
Forces and their dependents.
Information shall not be classified or otherwise withheld to protect the
Government from criticism or embarrassment.
Information shall be withheld only when disclosure would adversely affect
national security, or threaten the safety or privacy of the men and women of
the Armed Forces.
The Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) obligation to provide the public with
information on DOD major programs may require detailed public affairs
planning and coordination in the DOD and with other Government Agencies.
Such activity is to expedite the flow of information to the public.
Figure II-1. Principles of Public Information
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