passive or responsive public affairs policy

passive or responsive public affairs policy

A responsive posture by which no direct effort is made to initiate, or participate in, the public discussion about an issue or activity. When a passive policy is in effect, authorities must be prepared to respond to news media inquiries about the issue or activity -- to make brief statements to avoid confusion, speculation, misunderstanding, or false information that may prevail if news media queries go unanswered. See also public affairs.