Like all of A.A., the primary purpose of members involved with public information service is to carry the A.A. message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Working together, members of local Public Information committees convey A.A. information to the general public, including the media.
In Panel 72, the current chair, Ann J., has worked to include the Covid-ravaged area entities (intergroups) that are currently lacking in PIC personnel to have public service announcements in newspapers and include them in other broadcast opportunities.
To join her committee on the second Wednesday monthly virtually at six-thirty pm, join her at 847 7034 8618 code 366342 to be part of these exciting activities.

This Digital A.A. Press Kit includes information about Alcoholics Anonymous in the U.S/Canada Service Structure.  The goal of the press kit is to answer questions and provide information about Alcoholics Anonymous for the media, professionals, and the general public. Please email publicinfo@aa.org for any questions.

Digital Press Kit

HISTORY

The 1939 publication of our Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, was the first A.A. information available for the public. By 1941, several articles on A.A. in national publications helped to encourage understanding and acceptance of A.A. Also significant were good relations with professionals, such as Dr. W. D. Silkworth, Rev. Sam Shoemaker and Dr. Harry Tiebout.

In 1956, the Public Information Committee of the General Service Board was formed, with a corresponding Conference P.l. Committee established in 1961. The General Service Conference established this policy for A.A. Public Information:

"In all public relationships, A.A.’s sole objective is to help the still suffering alcoholic. Always mindful of the importance of personal anonymity, we believe this can be done by making known to the still suffering alcoholics, and to those who may be interested in their problem, our own experience as individuals and as a fellowship in learning to live without alcohol.

We believe that our experience should be made available freely to all who express sincere interest. We believe further that all efforts in this field should always reflect our gratitude for the gift of sobriety and our awareness that many outside of A.A. are equally concerned with the serious problem of alcoholism.

By 1973, the General Service Conference confirmed that “We must recognize that our competence to speak about alcoholism is limited in subject matter to Alcoholics Anonymous and its recovery program.”

For more information about this committee contact the Public Information Chair