Updated rules on communicating with the public and media.

Discussion in 'Current Affairs, News and Analysis' started by MoistVelvet, Aug 9, 2007.

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Has DGMC lost the plot

  1. Simon Macdowell is a hero - make him prime minister

  2. Co locate all 1000 staff with Simon and build him an empire

  3. Downsize DGMC and media ops - spend the money on eqpt for Iraq and Afg

  4. Who are DGMC?

  1. MoistVelvet

    MoistVelvet War Hero

    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


    ...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 :?
  2. B_AND_T

    B_AND_T LE Book Reviewer

    I couldn't possibly comment.
  3. Fatbadge

    Fatbadge LE

    Not enough people supporting Armynet then?
  4. Mr_Bridger

    Mr_Bridger War Hero

    Someone obviously got very moist while thinking and penning that DIN.

    Now here's a poser for you.

    a) The Regulars amongst us are covered by military law 24x7
    b) Ditto for TA Officers
    c) TA soldiers are only covered while in green kit (i.e.) booked on.
    d) Civvy's are under no obligation at all.

    Now it's plain that this DIN is meant to be a catch all. So, for those of us under a or b we can't discuss anything other than the rugby scores and the weather... those under c likewise unless its a monday to friday and they are doing there normal thing and d can carry on doing what the hell they like...

    It strikes me that Media Ops and the CoC is getting further distanced from the boys on the ground.
  5. ViroBono

    ViroBono LE Moderator

    DefenceNet's headline is:

    Surely 'NOT communicating', since this is the clear intent. Clearly they have realised that the veracity of everything Ministers say, and MOD's own media people put out, is doubted, and have decided that rather than cleaning up their own act, they'll try to shift the responsibility.

    Of course, if every ARRSER to whom these muddle-headed new rules apply were to ask permission for each post, DGMC would soon be overwhelmed...
  6. msr

    msr LE

    It isn't on armynet...
  7. offog

    offog LE

    Every one should write in with an application so that they can talk to their mother, as she is a member of the public talking to her is banned. After 4000 applications in a week they will get the message.

    It is also another new government rule that is unaffordable (it is also uninforceable).

    The good old union method of working to the rules will show it to be a stupid rule. Next time an MP turns up and asks you a question, tell them you do not have written authority to answer there questions, work to rule of the law, it gets them every time.

    edited to add word rather than corect
  8. ViroBono

    ViroBono LE Moderator

    Probably still waiting for permission to post it...
  9. DesktopCommando

    DesktopCommando LE

    so lets talk about Offensive matters then (not Naafi type stuff)
  10. jim30

    jim30 LE

    Lets let some sanity prevail here - firstly my reading of the media contact part is that it applies to us only when we seek to contact the media and represent ourselves as a serving individual by name. This is no different to the previous situation where we not supposed to handle media outside of DNews remit.

    The bulletin board one is tricky and utterly unenforcable. I'd imagine some army SO1 getting very excited writing this rubbish, without due thought as to its implementation. I think a quick FOI enquiry to MOD asking whether serving personnel are allowed to use ARRSE will quickly sort this one out.
  11. Dilfor

    Dilfor LE

    What is DGMC's username & avatar? We could ask now.

    Chimpy seemed to know a few things about media/defence - perhaps that was him.
  12. Mr_Bridger

    Mr_Bridger War Hero

    Just had a thought....

    How big is DGMC? Just how many posts could they cope with before they would be swamped?


    I think someone at DGMC has opened a can of worms.

    Edited - too slow on the repost!
  13. offog

    offog LE

    You cant talk about the rugby as the cut in the inf Bn has had an effect on the quality and troops have been involved with the flooding.
  14. The_Goon

    The_Goon LE

    How can they enforce it, considering everyone on ARRSE uses usernames, not real names? They'd be unable to work out who was what!
  15. Mr_Bridger

    Mr_Bridger War Hero

    Ah Jim - you must be looking forward to your new chair :)
    How is life in Main Building - you might know the brain surgeon who's come up with this one?
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