So the crackdown on personnel acting on the freedom of speech and thought has finally happened;

DIN 2007DIN03-006

With the new DIN in place what will this mean to the online forums like this and the "MOD Oracle"? As I understand it you can still visit and contribute to these forums but not on defence matters, "must seek prior permission from DGMC if they wish to communicate about defence".

So could anyone tell me what is defined as a "defence" matter? If you must now obtain permission to discuss "defence" matters is this forum now oboslete? Does this mean discussing the tradgedy of Passendale of WW1, or squad tactics within an online game of Battlefield 2 are now banned? Just how far does this rule go, if you adopt this instruction by the letter then it seems very restrictive.

From the DIN some key points are:

"Communicating with the public

Members of the Armed Forces and MOD Civil Servants must seek prior permission from DGMC if they wish to communicate about defence via books, articles or academic papers; self-publish via a blog, podcast or other shared text, audio or video; take part in external questionnaires, polls, surveys or research projects, speak at conferences, private engagements or other events where the public or media may be present; or contribute to any online community or share information such as a bulletin board, wiki, online social network, or multi-player game.

...All contact with the news media on any topic relating to official Defence matters must be referred to the appropriate D News staff. This includes letters to newspapers, contributing to online debates, taking part in radio or TV programmes, or contact with the media at outside events such as conferences. The responsibility to comply with the Official Secrets Act lies with the individual."

So what happens now, because technically I am now breaking the rules by talking about it here

An obvoius effort in thought control.

On the other hand, if the powers think that this applies to TA soldiers while not on duty, it does fly in the face of the description of the TA as casual labour.

Gimme that pension....

Since padres do a fair bit of public speaking every Sunday, will DGMC expect to see a prior copy of the sermon?

They might repent at leisure if they had hundreds of sermons sent to them each week to proof read!

Since padres do a fair bit of public speaking every Sunday, will DGMC expect to see a prior copy of the sermon?

Why do you think we are all being asked to get behind the BAFF? To give the boots on the ground that voice.

The MOD has addressed some of the points raised here:

1. These are not new rules. These or similar have been around for years (Defence Council Instructions in 2004, 1999 and probably earlier). They have been updated this year to reflect the findings of the Hall report (on payment and authorisation of media contacts) and changes in communication technology (the rise of self-publishing on the web etc).

2. Most public and private organisations of any size – in the UK and elsewhere - have rules on the authorisation processes to be followed before people speak publicly or to the media. Such rules are not unique to MOD.

3. We want people to communicate what they do. But it must be properly authorised – by their boss and, if it is potentially newsworthy, by MOD centrally.

You can find a copy of this response on the Defence News Blog at www.blogs.mod.uk

The MOD has addressed some of the points raised here:

1. These are not new rules. These or similar have been around for years (Defence Council Instructions in 2004, 1999 and probably earlier). They have been updated this year to reflect the findings of the Hall report (on payment and authorisation of media contacts) and changes in communication technology (the rise of self-publishing on the web etc).

New rules for personnel on communicating with the media and speaking in public

The MOD has responded in a discussion on the bulletin board ARRSE and elsewhere concerning a recent update to the rules for Service and MOD civilian personnel on communicating with the media and speaking in public:

1. These are not new rules. These or similar have been around for years (Defence Council Instructions in 2004, 1999 and probably earlier). They have been updated this year to reflect the findings of the Hall report (on payment and authorisation of media contacts) and changes in communication technology (the rise of self-publishing on the web etc).

2. Most public and private organisations of any size – in the UK and elsewhere - have rules on the authorisation processes to be followed before people speak publicly or to the media. Such rules are not unique to MOD.

3. We want people to communicate what they do. But it must be properly authorised – by their boss and, if it is potentially newsworthy, by MOD centrally.

Now now Ish fella, you really shouldnt be discussing defence material in a public forum, I refer you to DIN03-006, it says that you shouldnt be talking about it HERE!


Where as the MoD are a caring loving family, who look out for the welfare of the service personnel and not the advancement of their own political careers, yeah right!