Office of Public Affairs

PAO Organizational Chart

History

The Office of Public Affairs (PAO) was established in 1979 under Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti.  AG Order 866-79 redesignated the Office of Public Affairs (formerly known as the Office of Public Information) to more accurately reflect the duties, responsibilities, and functions of the Office and to clarify the relationship between the Office of Public Affairs and the Attorney General.   

Mission

The mission of the Office of Public Affairs (PAO) is coordinate the relations of the Department of Justice with the news media and to serve as the center for information about all organizational units of the Department.

Major Functions

The major functions of PAO are to:

• Ensure that the public is informed about the Department’s activities and about the priorities and policies of the Attorney General and the President in the fields of law enforcement and legal affairs.

• Advise the Attorney General and other Department officials on all aspects of media relations and communications issues.

• Coordinate the public affairs units of all Department components.

• Ensure that information provided to the news media by the Department is current, complete, and accurate; prepare and issue all news releases and statements for headquarters, and edit and approve some of those issued by components; serve reporters assigned to the Department by responding to queries, arranging interviews, and conducting news conferences.

• Manage the Department’s digital presence, including websites, social media, and multimedia (such as pre-recorded and live A/V products, livestreaming, photography, and graphic design; create and disseminate digital communications products and content; develop and implement digital governance and policies; and coordinate the digital/multimedia units of all Department components.

• Develop and execute public engagement initiatives and outreach strategies that promote the Department’s mission and initiatives by engaging a wide range of target audiences; work with Department components to support the implementation and integration of highly visible outreach programs and public education initiatives; promote dialogue about Department policies and programs by facilitating forums, community meetings, and other special engagements; coordinate logistics, outreach, communication, and facilitation of community events and public meetings; and facilitate small and large engagement sessions with stakeholders with diverse experiences on complex issues.

• Oversee all aspects of speechwriting for Department leadership, including materials, writing, editing, production, and accurate and comprehensive record keeping; draft and edit speeches, op-eds, articles, video scripts, talking points, Congressional testimony, and other written materials for the Attorney General and other senior Department officials on law enforcement and policy initiatives within the Department.

• Ensure that all applicable laws, regulations, and policies involving the release of information to the public are followed so that material that might jeopardize investigations and prosecutions, violate rights of defendants or potential defendants, or compromise national security interests is not made public.