The Office of Press Relations answers questions from Journalists about U.S. foreign policy.
8:15 am – 7:00 pm Monday through Friday
During regular business hours, journalists may contact the Office of Press Relations on (202) 647-2492.
After regular business hours, journalists can reach a Duty Press Officer Monday through Friday until 11:00 pm and Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 8:00 am until 9:00 pm. The Duty Press Officer can be reached through the State Department Operations Center: (202) 647-1512; or by email PressDuty@state.gov.
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The Office of Press Relations coordinates Press Briefings and Media Events.
Journalists and technicians are welcome to attend media events and will need one of the following as identification:
Between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., attendees should enter through the 23rd Street entrance, between D and C Streets NW.
A uniformed Protective Service Officer will issue a visitor's badge, valid for that day, which permits unescorted access to the Press Office, the Press Briefing Room, the Correspondent's Room where some reporters have office space, and the mezzanine balcony. (Press are not allowed above 2nd floor.) If an event is to be held elsewhere in the building, all press will be escorted by Department employees.
Camera set-up times and pick-up times for writers will be posted in the Daily Appointment Schedule (202-647-2497) or online.
The Office of Press Relations will recommend that Diplomatic Security issue a long-term building pass to journalists and media technicians who demonstrate a frequent (two to three times per week) need to be in the State Department. Application forms are available from the Press Office, Room 2109, Harry S. Truman Building, Department of State. Applicants must return completed forms to the Press Office in person, along with a letter from his/her employer and one passport-size photograph. Reporters from non-U.S.-based media organizations must bring a letter from the embassy of the country in which the organization is based attesting to the bona fides of the media organization. Issuance of the pass is contingent upon a background check by the Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
Mediarequests@state.gov with the subject: REQUEST FOR INTERVIEW
Ground rules must be agreed upon at the beginning of a conversation or an interview with State Department officials. The discussion should proceed only after you and the officials are clear on exactly how the information can be used or attributed.
On the Record
Information may be quoted directly and attributed to the official by name and title.
On Background
The official's remarks may be quoted directly or paraphrased and are attributed to a "State Department official" or "Administration official," as determined by the official.
On Deep Background
The source cannot be quoted or identified in any manner, not even as "an unnamed source." The information is usually couched in such phrases as "it is understood that" or "it has been learned." The information may be used to help present the story or to gain a better understanding of the subject, but the knowledge is that of the reporter, not the source. No information provided may be used in the story. The information is only for the reporter's background knowledge.
Off the Record
Nothing of what the journalist is told may be used in the story. The information is meant only for the education of the reporter.
