The Foreign Service Journal, March 2005

tends to be focused on crises and breaking events, while policy-makers need more information about what is happening before a crisis breaks. The Internet, on the one hand, offers fantastic amounts of interna- tional news. This has been a boon: now that people in Washington can directly access the news media of the countries they cover, embassies no longer have to summarize what is in the local papers, thereby permitting more focus on analysis. But the increase in available information has increased the demand for embassies and consulates to help sort through the mountains of information and identify what is significant, what is not, and why. Toward a Renaissance of Reporting In this world of competing demands and staffing shortfalls, we need to take steps to ensure that our ability to produce good and useful reporting is not the first thing to go. As government employees we do not determine the resources that Con- gress provides us, but we do have a say in how resources are allocated and on internal priorities. When we do budget planning, staff planning and strategic planning we can take account of reporting needs, including M A R C H 2 0 0 5 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 15 S P E A K I N G O U T u Each post should make sure that its reporting needs are reflected in its Mission Program Plan and other planning documents. A time of service…a time of need Help for Seniors May Be Just a Phone Call Away— Home Health Care Adult Day Care & Respite Care Prescription Drug Copayments Transportation to Medical Appointments Durable Medical Equipment For more information, please contact the SENIOR LIVING FOUNDATION OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE 1716 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20036-2902 Phone: (202) 887-8170 Fax: (202) 872-9320 E-Mail: info@slfoundation.org W eb Site: www.slfoundation.org The Senior Living Foundation may be able to help you or someone you know. Some examples of assistance are: SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION