Welcome to the website of the Defence and Security Media Advisory (DSMA) Committee
The 2015 Independent Review recommended that the purpose of the system should remain that of preventing inadvertent disclosure of information which would compromise UK military and intelligence operations and methods; or put at risk the safety of those involved in such operations; or lead to attacks that would damage the critical national infrastructure or endanger…
National approaches to the public disclosure of sensitive national security information are rooted in national culture and law. The UK has tended to prefer voluntary agreements over mandatory arrangements. The DSMA-Notice System has been reviewed several times but the principle of a voluntary system, based on mutually agreed guidelines, is still seen as appropriate by…
A survey of 15 countries in 2010 found that none had comparable arrangements to provide guidance to the Media to prevent inadvertent disclosure of information that might put at risk the safety of those involved in military or intelligence operations; or lead to attacks that would damage the critical national infrastructure or endanger lives. However,…
All discussion between the Media and the Secretary is carried out in confidence. The Secretary’s advice is limited to the areas covered by the five standing DSMA notices. Any advice offered by the Secretary does not absolve editors from their responsibilities under the Official Secrets Act.
This usually happens when the DSMA-Notice system has not been used by the media or when a government department is so concerned that serious damage is imminent that they wish to take immediate preventative action. The DSMA-Notice Secretary is not involved in police/legal action.
As a rule, books are only considered if the publisher/author or the Department concerned asks for advice from the DSMA-Notice Secretary. Such requests have grown steadily over the recent years. This trend is expected to continue and is the reason why the (Book) Publishers’ Association is represented on the DSMA Committee.
It has been the long tradition of successive UK governments not to define national security. National security can only be judged in the context of the threats facing and the interests of the UK and its allies. Nevertheless, at present and for the purposes of the DSMA-notice system, the term national security can be taken…
The DSMA-notices are voluntary guidelines. The diversity of the British media (including some small organisations which have never followed DSMA-notice guidance) means that the system has never been wholly effective. It is an imperfect system. The mainstream media is generally committed to the DSMA-notice system and maintains a significant digital presence and readership. Importantly, it…
Matters published on overseas based websites (and in foreign newspapers) are beyond the influence of the DSMA-notice system. The status of UK internet service providers as ‘publishers’ remains unclear. The Defence and Security Media Advisory (DSMA) Committee has several experts in digital media among its membership. The DSMA Committee is committed and is keen to…
That depends on how and where the information has been published. Sensitive information which has already ‘been widely disclosed or discussed’ should not be withheld. However judgements about what is ‘widely available in the public domain’ tend to be subjective. A statement by a writer with no authority in an obscure publication, broadcaster or website…