Department of Defense
MANUAL
NUMBE
R 5120.20
June 3, 2014
Incorporating Change 1, Effective August 14, 2020
ATSD(PA)
SUBJECT: Management of American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS)
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. This manual reissues DoD 5120.20-R (Reference (a)) as a DoD manual in
accordance with the authority in DoD Directive (DoDD) 5122.05, DoDD 5105.74, and DoD
Instruction (DoDI) 5120.20 (References (b), (c), and (d)), to implement policy, assign
responsibilities, and prescribe procedures for the administration and operation of all AFRTS
outlets and functions.
2. APPLICABILITY. This manual applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office
of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field
Activities, and all other organizational entities in the DoD (referred to collectively in this manual
as the “DoD Components”).
3. POLICY. Reference (c) provides the overarching policy for this manual.
4. RESPONSIBILITIES
a. Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (ATSD(PA)). The ATSD(PA)
develops broad DoD policy guidelines and objectives for DoD internal information programs.
b. Director, Defense Media Activity (DMA). Under the authority, direction, and control of
the ATSD(PA), the Director, DMA, ensures the Director, AFRTS:
(1) Operationally carries out and implements the policy in Reference (c).
(2) Develops internal policies and procedures for the management and operation of DoD
AFRTS activities, oversees their implementation, and evaluates and directs corrective action to
ensure that AFRTS is properly structured, staffed, and managed.
