Topic: About the DSMA System

If a book or article or programme has been cleared through the DSMA-Notice system, does that mean that everything in it is true?

No.  DSMA-notice system advice on manuscripts covers matters which may damage national security, the critical national infrastructure or endanger lives.  Advice is not offered on the accuracy and reliability of the manuscript.

Must the Secretary accept the official position on damage to national security?

No, the Secretary has to be persuaded of the need for secrecy, within the scope of the guidelines set out by the DSMA-Notices; he will also consider whether the facts are already widely in the public domain.

Might ‘damage’ to national security be claimed to mask wider instances of official embarrassment?

Political or official embarrassment are not valid grounds under the five standing DSMA-Notices for advising against public disclosure of information.

What action does the Secretary take?

After seeking advice from the government department concerned, the DSMA-Notice Secretary advises the media about information which could damage national security. Examples might include details about a current or planned operation or which could endanger the life or effectiveness of an agent. He might suggest ways of avoiding such damage, e.g. concealing identities in photographs…

How does the DSMA-Notice Secretary know when his advice is needed?

A news room may contact the DSMA-Notice Secretary with information that they intend to publish or broadcast a story on matters covered by the DSMA-Notices, with a request for more specific advice on the sensitivity of certain details. Officials may get in touch with the DSMA-Notice Secretary to raise a concern – e.g. an Intelligence…

Is the DSMA-Notice system a form of censorship?

No, by definition a voluntary system cannot be censorship. DSMA-Notices are guidance for the media in self-regulation. Publication is still a matter of judgement for editors who are well used to regulating content on a wide range of matters, including when e.g. harm to individuals, financial loss or an offence to public taste may result.

What is meant by ‘slapping a D-Notice on’ something?

This very dated phrase sounds dramatic, but it is no longer what actually happens! DSMA-Notices are not issued for particular incidents. The are five standing DSMA-Notices which the DSMA-Notice Secretary might on occasion draw to an editor’s’ attention.

Why does the government not always do this, rather than rely on a voluntary system?

Legal action can be costly and time-consuming, often creates adverse publicity, and there is no guarantee that the judge will uphold the government’s case. It can be a very cumbersome mechanism if the government is just seeking the removal of a sensitive point of detail, such as an agents’ name. Injunctions tend to stop a…

Does the Government do anything if an editor decides to publish/broadcast something that is likely to damage national security?

In serious cases, the government department concerned can initiate police and/or legal action, including seeking a court injunction to stop something being published.

If an editor does publish/broadcast something which is damaging to national security, or threatens to do so, what does the DSMA-Notice system do about it?

When a newspaper or broadcast channel inadvertently releases information which might damage national security, the Secretary may contact the editor to point this out and offer advice on how further inadvertent damage might be avoided. If the release of information is intentional, no further action is taken by the DSMA-Notice Secretary. If a government department…