Military Commissions Media Invitation Announced

Military Commissions Media Invitation Announced

United States v. Abd al-Rahim Hussein Muhammed Abdu Al-Nashiri

            The Department of Defense and the Office of Military Commissions will allocate seats for news media aboard military chartered aircraft for travel from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Jan. 14, 2013, to cover military commission proceedings scheduled for Jan. 15-17, 2013, in the case of United States v. Abd al-Rahim Hussein Muhammed Abdu Al-Nashiri.  Return travel is planned for Jan. 18, 2013. 

            Due to a limited number of seats aboard the flight and limited accommodations at Guantanamo Bay, selection is not guaranteed.  However, there will be an additional opportunity for media members to view the proceedings by closed circuit television (CCTV) from a media work center at Fort George G. Meade, Md., on Jan. 15-17, 2013. 

United States v. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed et. al.

            In a second proceeding, the Department of Defense and the Office of Military Commissions will allocate seats for news media aboard military chartered aircraft for travel from Andrews Air Force Base to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Jan. 27, 2013, to cover military commission proceedings scheduled for Jan. 28-31 in the case of United States v. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin 'Attash, Ramzi Binalshibh, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi.  Return travel is planned for Feb. 1, 2013.

            As with the first proceeding, there will be an additional opportunity for media members to view United States v. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed et. al., by closed circuit television (CCTV) from a media work center at Fort George G. Meade, Md., on Jan. 28-31, 2013. 

            Media desiring to view either or both hearings should send their requests via email to GTMO.Press@osd.mil.  All requests must be received by 5 p.m. EST, Jan. 3.  Media members should submit their names, positions, sponsoring organization and contact information to the above email address.  Multiple names from the same organization may be listed.  Requesters should indicate each individual's desire to be considered for travel to Guantanamo or Fort George G. Meade or both. 

            Media selected to cover both proceedings will not be permitted to remain at Guantanamo during the break between proceedings.  

            If the number of media requests received exceeds the number of available media spaces at either Guantanamo Bay or Fort Meade, selections will be made based on the following criteria and categories:

• Media outlets that consistently reach a large audience;
• Media outlets that have a history of reporting on the Department of Defense, Guantanamo Bay, military commissions, or closely related topics;
• Outlets that represent a mix of mediums;
• Outlets that include both domestic and international news media; and
• Media that represent regional markets with a specific nexus to these commission proceedings. 

            Applicant media organizations are welcome to provide documentation and examples demonstrating how they meet one or more of the above criteria and categories.  Media selected to travel to Guantanamo or to attend the CCTV broadcast in the United States will be sent a selection confirmation by email after the closing date of Jan. 3, along with instructions on travel. 

            Further information including the media ground rules can be viewed at the Office of Military Commissions website at http://www.mc.mil