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UK: D-Notice review

01 November 1992

A review of the D-Notice system has been announced by Sir Christopher France, the Permanent Under Secretary at the Ministry of Defence. Sir Christopher is chairman of the D-Notice Committee which operates an 80 year-old system of voluntary self-censorship in co-operation with the media. Rear Admiral William Higgins, the Secretary of the Committee, told a meeting in london that he gave 'positive advice', urging editors not to publish, about a dozen times a year. In all, he said, he received about 100 inquiries a year from editors and publishers.

In April 1992 the Committee re-issued its guidance to the media. This guidance note covers "the publication of information damaging to national security". It invites editors and publishers to consult the Secretary in cases of "doubt". It ends by saying: "Discussions between Editors and the Secretary of the Committee are regarded as taking place in confidence".

In 1971 there were 12 D-Notices which were cut down to 8 in 1982. These cover: 1) defence plans, operational capability, state of readiness and training; 2) defence equipment; 3) nuclear weapons and equipment; 4) electronic equipment; 5) cyphers and communications; 6) British security and intelligence services; 7) war precautions and civil defence; 8) photography, of defence establishments and installations. D Notice no 6 on the security and intelligence services asks the media not to publish any information on their operations, structure, personnel or their surveillance methods.

Guardian 24.9.92; D-Notices guidance April 1992.