Memorandum about rules for journalists

Item

derivative filename/jpeg
363-06088 to 363-06089.pdf
Digital Object Identifier
363-06088 to 363-06089
Title
Memorandum about rules for journalists
Description
Memorandum from U.S. Military Assistance Command Information Office (MACOI) to Vietnam War correspondents about expectations for journalists' behaviour. The memo covers security limitations, who is expected to pay for military medical care, and the MACV press cards
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Draft transcripts were automatically generated via Google Document AI and are currently under review. Please report significant errors to Archives & Special Collections at archives@unl.edu.
Transcript
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MACOI
HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES MILITARY ASSISTANCE COMMAND, VIETNAM
APO San Francisco. 96243
Office of Information
22 August 1966
MEMORANDUM TO CORRESPONDENTS
SUBJECT:
NOT FOR PUBLICATION
Conditions under which newsmen operate
The three most important policy matters affecting newmen covering combat
assignments in Vietnam are: the ground rules established in the interest of
national security, financial responsibility in case of personal injury and cooper-
ation with military authorities in identification matters.
Ground rules. The release of military information is covered in the memoran-
dums issued at the time of your arrival in country. These spell out the guidelines
to be followed while writing about ground operations, air strikes and personnel
casualties. Every effort has been made to keep these rules as realistic and work-
able as possible within security limitations. If these rules are not completely
understood, we ask that you make inquiry as soon as possible through the Public
PTT 25565,
Information Division of the MACV Office of Information (Telephones:
ARVN 40133 and Tiger 409). Officers there will be glad to assist you at any time.
After working hours, a duty officer is always available to answer your questions.
His name and quarters telephone number appear in the daily MACV news communique.
Financial responsibility. In the past some misunderstandings have occurred
concerning financial responsibility for medial treatment, both routine and as a
result of injury from hostile fire. It is important for all correspondents to know
that their employers are expected to be financially responsible for medical treat-
ment received while on assignment in Vietnam. This is the primary reason for re-
quiring the financial responsibility statement to be in writtten form addressed
directly to MACV as a prerequisite to your accreditation. In case your employer does
not honor this obligation, you as an individual are expected to assume this respon-
sibility. All routine medical treatment, hospital care and medical air evacuation
must be paid for at the standard government rates which are in effect at the time
these services are rendered.
Use of MACV press cards. Your press card is probably your most valuable iden-
tification card while here in Vietnam. It serves many purposes beyond mere identi-
fication. It is your "airline ticket" for military flights while on news gathering
assignments, it permits you access to military commands and the JUSPAO building to
attend news briefings. We also ask that you show this card when requested to do so
by Military Police authorities. Only in this way can American civilians be distin-
guished from members of the U. S. Armed Forces in civilian clothing.
The MACV Press Card authorizes you to travel on regularly scheduled military
flights while on actual assignments. Government air transportation is not autho-
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rized for any other business or personal use. Abuse of this convenient travel
authorization will
result in withdrawl of accreditation.
RODGER R. BANKSON
Colonel, GS
Chief of Information
Date
1966, Aug. 22
Subject
Vietnam War, 1961-1975; Government and the press; Journalists; Freedom of the press; United States. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Office of Information
Location
Saigon, South Vietnam
Coordinates
10.8231; 106.6311
Size
20 x 26 cm
Container
B190, F8
Format
memorandums
Collection Number
MS 363
Collection Title
Beverly Deepe Keever, Journalism Papers
Creator
United States. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Office of Information
Collector
Keever, Beverly Deepe
Copyright Information
These images are for educational use only. To inquire about usage or publication, please contact Archives & Special Collections.
Publisher
Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries
Language
English