For many years, we in AA have appreciated the support we have received from our friends in the media. You have assisted in saving countless lives. We seek your continued cooperation in protecting the anonymity of our members at the public level.

We ask, therefore, that in presenting AA members:

You use first names only.

You do not use pictures in which their faces may be recognised.

Anonymity lies at the heart of our Fellowship and assures our members that their recovery will be private. Often, the active alcoholic will avoid any source of help which might reveal his or her identity.

Alcoholics Anonymous is not affiliated with any other organization, although many have adapted A.A's Twelve Steps for their own use. AA is self-supporting, declining outside contributions; and we are non-professional, offering only the voluntary support of one alcoholic helping another.

Throughout the world, favourable media coverage has been one of the principal means of bringing alcoholics into our Fellowship. You have helped make this possible, and for that we thank you.