MAJ. ANGEL JACKSON/U.S. ARMY CENTRAL
Social media and press freedoms generated the most discussion when communications officers in Tajikistan met with their U.S. counterparts in Dushanbe in April 2016.
“The Tajik public affairs officers were very interested in our use of social media,” said Col. Thomas Gilleran, U.S. Army Central (ARCENT) deputy chief of public affairs. “They were amazed that we allow unsolicited interaction.”
Army public affairs professionals rely on social media to connect with audiences, and Soldiers are often the best storytellers. “The most important thing we did during the exchange was to discuss the value of a free press with our Tajik counterparts,” Gilleran said.
U.S. and Tajik public affairs officers share many of the same practices when it comes to community engagement and highlighting military efforts. But one difference is the relationship with the media. Gilleran discussed the unique relationship of Army public affairs with the media, and he described what freedom of the press means in the U.S.
“Freedom of the press has a different meaning in different countries,” said Khusrov Aminov, Tajikistan Ministry of Defense communications officer.
Gilleran and Maj. Neysa Williams, ARCENT public affairs community and media relations officer, gave examples of how bad press sometimes results in good changes.
“The media sometimes draws attention to issues that force changes in an organization,” said Williams. “For example, some veterans were having a hard time getting medical care and when the media started talking about it, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs started to make changes or at least share more information.”
Aminov said he appreciated the opportunity to discuss Army public affairs with the ARCENT team, and looked forward to future meetings.
The exchange was one of many partnership events conducted by U.S. Army Central throughout the year to enhance interoperability with Tajikistan.