“FEMA PR chief loses new job after fake news briefing”

Source:  CNN – 10/29/2007

Thoughts:  While the intention might have been noble, the act of holding what is deemed a “fake” news briefing is unacceptable.  The excuse of being new on the job and not knowing the procedures would not be acceptable in this case, since it is common sense that there would be a negative fall-out if the deception was discovered, especially in the hostile media environment which we live in today.  In all likelihood, Mr. Philbin was “fired,” even though it will be recorded as a voluntary resignation.  I cannot see him ever receiving a senior post ever again.

Article:  “FEMA PR chief loses new job after fake news briefing”
By Jeanne Meserve

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The man who oversaw public affairs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency when it held a fake news conference last week will no longer be taking over as head of public relations for the director of national intelligence.

(Article continues.)

Pat Philbin, FEMA’s external affairs director, was scheduled to become director of public affairs for National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell on Monday. It was not immediately clear whether he offered his resignation or was fired just as he was set to begin the job.

As of Sunday, officials only said that they were aware of concerns.

But Monday, the director of national intelligence office issued this statement: “We do not normally comment on personnel matters. However, we can confirm that Mr. Philbin is not, nor is he scheduled to be, the director of public affairs for the office of the director of national intelligence.”

FEMA Director David Paulison said Philbin sent him an e-mail in which he took full responsibility for last week’s staging of the news conference.

FEMA, part of the Department of Homeland Security, called a news conference Tuesday in Washington on the agency’s handling of the California wildfires.

The agency said no media representatives showed up because the conference was announced at the last minute. Instead, reporters called in on a phone line but couldn’t ask questions

The agency released a video of the conference with FEMA employees asking less than hard-hitting questions.

Deputy Director Harvey Johnson, who was fielding questions, gave no indication at the time that staff members were asking the questions.

(Read the rest of the article here.)

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