File:2014DIN03-024.pdf

The authorisation procedures that all members of the Armed Forces and MOD civilians must follow before making or responding to contact with the media or communicating in public

 legal document  by Directorate of Defence Communications dated 2014/09

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Subjects: Censorship
Example of: Defence Instructions and Notices
Source: gov.uk (Link)

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Contact with the Media and Communicating in Public

UK MOD Defence Instructions and Notices.

New guidelines for all members of the armed forces and MoD civilians came into force in September 2014

The rules state: “All contact with the media or communication in public by members of the Armed Forces and MoD civilians on defence topics must be authorised in advance.”

This applies even if a member of armed forces staff meets a journalist socially, or through their family.

The rules don’t just apply to journalists, they also apply if a soldier should accidentally come into contact with any individuals who are known to have close links with the media – such as “academics, representatives of industry and think-tanks”.

During the Afghanistan war the media played a role in highlighting shortcomings in the equipment used by British soldiers, often relying on information from soldiers on the frontline. The new guidelines would appear to outlaw such contact.

Where unplanned contact is made between a member of the armed forces and a journalist they are instructed to “immediately…notify media staff and provide a written account of the contact”.

The document also states: “These rules still apply if individuals encounter: journalists or other members of the news media in a social setting (whether work-related or not); third party individuals with known links to the media, such as commentators, academics, representatives of industry, think-tanks or lobby groups, or former serving personnel with a media profile.”

The rules also state that any member of the armed forces wishing to communicate on social media on a “non-contentious” defence issue must apply for authorisation to do so.

Failure to comply with the new rules will lead to disciplinary action.

The new rules also apply to cadets and civilian volunteers.