Cable television, satellite dishes, talk radio and the Internet have created an information explosion that reaches the nation's most isolated areas. But this information is filtered through various media before it reaches the public. State needs to present the Administration's position directly through national and regional television and radio interviews, televised public appearances and by publishing current and relevant information on the World Wide Web. We also need to demonstrate why the Department, and not just foreign policy, is important to Americans, how State's work directly affects their lives and their families. We need to emphasize how the Department provides passport services, supports businesses and individual citizens overseas and works to reduce the threats of terrorism, narcotics and rogue nations.
Onsite speakers can counter the lack of information, misinformation or criticism.
But even where we fail to gain support for a particular policy, we can leave the audience with an understanding that State employees, whether in Washington or overseas, are hard-working, public servants worthy of support and resources. There are individual benefits, especially for veteran Foreign Service officers, to taking on speaking engagements. Speaking engagements often are the only opportunity FSOs have to increase their understanding of the people they represent abroad and their concerns. One senior officer said that learning about the public's opinions and views helps him to shape negotiations. As the Secretary has said, we must place communicating with the American public at the top of our to-do list.