Establishing the Office of Global Communications

Executive Order 13283 of January 21, 2003

Establishing the Office of Global Communications

By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Establishment of the Office of Global
Communications. There is hereby established within the
White House Office an Office of Global Communications
(the “Office”) to be headed by a Deputy Assistant to
the President for Global Communications.

Sec. 2. Mission. The mission of the Office shall be to
advise the President, the heads of appropriate offices
within the Executive Office of the President, and the
heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies)
on utilization of the most effective means for the
United States Government to ensure consistency in
messages that will promote the interests of the United
States abroad, prevent misunderstanding, build support
for and among coalition partners of the United States,
and inform international audiences. The Office shall
provide such advice on activities in which the role of
the United States Government is apparent or publicly
acknowledged.

Sec. 3. Functions. In carrying out its mission:

(a) The Office shall assess the methods and strategies
used by the United States Government (other than
special activities as defined in Executive Order 12333
of December 4, 1981) to deliver information to
audiences abroad. The Office shall coordinate the
formulation among appropriate agencies of messages that
reflect the strategic communications framework and
priorities of the United States, and shall facilitate
the development of a strategy among the appropriate
agencies to effectively communicate such messages.

(b) The Office shall work with the policy and
communications offices of agencies in developing a
strategy for disseminating truthful, accurate, and
effective messages about the United States, its
Government and policies, and the American people and
culture. The Office may, after consulting with the
Department of State and obtaining the approval of the
Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs on the President's behalf, work with
cooperating foreign governments in the development of
the strategy. In performing its work, the Office shall
coordinate closely and regularly with the Assistant to
the President for National Security Affairs, or the
Assistant's designee.

(c) The Office shall work with appropriate agencies to
coordinate the creation of temporary teams of
communicators for short-term placement in areas of high
global interest and media attention as determined by
the Office. Team members shall include personnel from
agencies to the extent permitted by law and subject to
the availability of personnel. In performing its
functions, each information team shall work to
disseminate accurate and timely information about
topics of interest to the on-site news media, and
assist media personnel in obtaining access to
information, individuals, and events that reinforce the
strategic communications objectives of the United
States and its allies. The Office shall coordinate when
and where information teams should be deployed;
provided, however, no information team shall be
deployed abroad without prior consultation with the
Department of State and the Department of Defense, and
prior notification to the Office of the Assistant to
the President for National Security Affairs.

(d) The Office shall encourage the use of state-of-the-
art media and technology and shall advise the United
States Government of events, technologies, and other
communications tools that may be available for use in
conveying information.

Sec. 4. Administration. The Office of Administration
within the Executive Office of the President shall
provide the Office with administrative and related
support, to the extent permitted by law and subject to
the availability of appropriations, as directed by the
Chief of Staff to the President to carry out the
provisions of this order.

Sec. 5. Relationship to Other Interagency Coordinating
Mechanisms. Presidential direction regarding National
Security Council-related mechanisms for coordination of
national security policy shall apply with respect to
the Office in the same manner as it applies with
respect to other elements of the White House Office.
Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or
otherwise affect any function assigned by law or by the
President to the National Security Council or to the
Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs.

Sec. 6. Continuing Authorities. This order does not
alter the existing authorities of any agency. Agencies
shall assist the Deputy Assistant to the President for
Global Communications, to the extent consistent with
applicable law and direction of the President, and to
the extent such assistance is consistent with national
security objectives and with the mission of such
agencies, in carrying out the Office's mission.

Sec. 7. General Provisions.

(a) This order is not intended to, and does not, create
any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law or equity by any party against the
United States, its agencies, instrumentalities or
entities, its officers or employees, or any other
person.

(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to grant
to the Office any authority to issue direction to
agencies, officers, or employees.

    (Presidential Sig.)B

THE WHITE HOUSE,

     January 21, 2003.