 Popular
mythology portrays Defence Advisory (DA) Notices - commonly known as
'D-Notices' - as a cosy and very British form of censorship, 'slapped
on' news stories by unaccountable officials intent on violating the
media's duty to report in the public interest. Apart from the 'very
British' bit, none of this is remotely true.
Firstly, the DA-Notice System is completely voluntary; the advice
offered under it can be accepted or rejected in whole or in part. It's
rare for any news organisation to ignore DA-Notice advice, but that's
because it protects a narrowly-defined area which government and media
alike recognise to be of vital public importance. The System doesn't
cover corruption, politics, scandal, embarrassment or a host of other
things that officialdom might wish to keep closeted; it just covers the
truly core elements of national security.
Dating back to 1912, the System has been advisory and transparent since
1993. Although sometimes the subject of controversy, it mostly operates
discretely and in the background.
However, there is no lack of accountability, even though the DA-Notice
advice given to individual journalists is strictly confidential. The
system is overseen by the Defence, Press and Broadcasting Advisory
Committee, composed of very senior officials from the Home Office, MoD,
Foreign Office and Cabinet Office and media leaders from all the main
news organisations.
The Committee is chaired by the MoD Permanent Secretary, and the media
provides the vice-chair. You can read the minutes of the Committee's
meetings on the DA-Notice website: www.dnotice.org.uk
Also to be found on the website are the five standing DA-Notices. This
'code' covers military operations, weapons, secure communications,
sensitive installations and intelligence operations.
The System is normally triggered when a journalist doing a story on an
aspect of national security realises it might be covered by DA-Notice
guidance.
The acid test here is whether any part of the story might somehow put
British troops, military or intelligence operations or members of the
public at greater risk.
The first thing to do is to check the 'dnotice' website; if still in
doubt then simply call the DA Notice Secretary. He can advise from his
own knowledge or - if necessary - check out the details (in strict
confidence) with the relevant experts (e.g. in MI5, MI6, Whitehall or
the Armed Forces).
It's very rare for an agreement not to be reached that allows the core
story to go ahead. If journalists and editors are not convinced about
any changes proposed, they are fully entitled not to accept them.
Sometimes the Secretary will take the lead and alert editors to national
security sensitivities in an emerging story.
From time to time, other options have been considered, but media and
government alike continue to see the DA-Notice System - imperfect though
it is - as probably the best way to manage the disclosure of national
security information in a 21st century democracy.
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