On-Camera Press Briefing
January 3, 2025
Location: Pentagon Briefing Room
Participants:
- Press Secretary, Brigadier General Pat Ryder
- Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Ms. Celeste Wallander
Summary:
General Ryder: Good afternoon, everyone. I’m Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Press Secretary for the Department of Defense. I’m joined today by Ms. Celeste Wallander, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs.
Assistant Secretary Wallander will provide an overview of the Department’s efforts to strengthen communication and accessibility with the public. Afterwards, we will take questions.
Ms. Wallander: Thank you, General Ryder.
Department’s Communication Strategy
Over the past year, the Department of Defense has been actively working to improve its communication strategy and enhance accessibility to information. We recognize the importance of communicating effectively and transparently with the American public and our allies around the world.
To this end, we have taken several steps to streamline our communication channels and ensure that accurate and timely information reaches the public. These efforts include:
- Establishing a dedicated media relations team within the Office of the Secretary of Defense to provide rapid and accurate responses to media inquiries.
- Expanding our social media presence on platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram to connect with a wider range of audiences.
- Implementing a robust public affairs policy that outlines the Department’s goals, objectives, and responsibilities in the area of communication.
- Inaugurating the new Defense.gov website, which serves as the official online portal for the Department of Defense and provides comprehensive information on our missions, programs, and policies.
Accessibility Initiatives
In addition to these communication enhancements, the Department is also committed to fostering a more accessible experience for all individuals. We have made significant investments in our accessibility infrastructure, including:
- Upgrading our websites to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 standards, ensuring that they are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
- Providing assistive technologies, such as closed captioning and text-to-speech tools, on our public websites.
- Establishing a dedicated accessibility team to monitor and address any accessibility needs or concerns.
Questions and Answers:
Reporter 1: General Ryder, can you provide an update on the situation in the Middle East?
General Ryder: At this time, I do not have any new information to share. However, I can assure you that the Department is closely monitoring developments in the region and will provide an update as soon as possible.
Reporter 2: Ms. Wallander, how will the new communication strategy affect the Department’s relationship with the media?
Ms. Wallander: We believe that the new communication strategy will strengthen our relationship with the media by fostering a more open and collaborative environment. We are committed to providing the media with timely and accurate information to facilitate informed reporting on national security issues.
Reporter 3: Are there any plans for future enhancements to the Defense.gov website?
Ms. Wallander: Yes, we are continuously working to improve the usability and functionality of the Defense.gov website. In the coming months, we plan to launch a new search engine to enhance information retrieval and implement a mobile-responsive design for a more seamless user experience on all devices.
Closing Remarks:
General Ryder: Thank you to everyone for attending today’s briefing. We appreciate your interest in the Department of Defense and its commitment to effective communication and accessibility.
We will continue to work diligently to ensure that the American public has access to the information they need to stay informed about the military and its role in national security.
Ms. Wallander: Thank you, and have a good day.
On-Camera Press Briefing
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