United States. Panama Canal Commission. Office of Public Affairs

In 1981, the Office of Public Information was redesignated the Office of Public Affairs. The Office of Public Affairs was responsible for handling all public affairs, orientation services and informational activities of the Panama Canal Commission, in English and Spanish, both locally and internationally. In this connection, the Office published an official biweekly employee/management newspaper, the "Panama Canal Spillway"; prepared and distributed local and international press releases (including simultaneous worldwide distribution by computer); accelerated the production of news releases on significant Canal activities and produced and distributed documentaries to local television stations in order to keep the public, especially the Panamanian public, informed about the Panama Canal. The Public Affairs Office also provided photo and video products and informational materials for use by local and international media, furnished informational products to cruise and travel industry representatives, presented briefings and provided informational products to Canal visitors, and produced materials for special commemorative activities and other Canal events. A principal focus was to inform the local population about the Panama Canal, its administration and operations. It was abolished in the 1997 Panama Canal Commission reorganization.