Northern Ireland Information Policy Co-ordinating Committee

The Northern Ireland Information Policy Co-ordinating Committee (IPCC) was formed in 1974 to establish a uniform approach to news and policy guidance among senior representatives and chief information officers of the Northern Ireland Office, the then Northern Ireland Executive, the Army, and the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

Prior to the formation of the IPCC there existed a Joint Information Policy Committee which appeared to consist primarily of information officers.

History

IPCC Meeting 27 August 1974, Stormont Castle

• Present: Mr M Cudlipp (NIO) Chairman | Brigadier HEML Garrett (HQNI) | Mr P Broderick (HQNI Information) | Deputy Chief Constable K Newman (RUC) | Mr W. McGookin (RUC Information) | Mr R Seaman (NIO Information, London) | Mr D Gilliland (NIO Information, Belfast) | Mr R. Ramsay (Central Secretariat) | Mr T Roberts (Central Secretariat Information) | Mr W. Adler (NIO) | Mr D. Revolta (NIO).

The meeting concluded that it would concern itself with information policy in a strategic context, and would promote and co-ordinate a positive public relations policy. Meetings would not normally be minuted. Mr Broderick was tasked to produce a paper on 'the Army view of a positive Public Relations Policy for the Province' ahead of the next meeting.

Army Information Policy Paper, 6 September 1974

On 6 September 1974, Broderick circulated a paper entitled 'Information Policy: Its use in Northern Ireland. This called for 'a strong, determined psychological operation' under the cover name 'information policy'. It recommended the appointment of a Belfast-based Co-ordinator of Information Policy, the creation of an IP Policy Committee, and the confirmation of the Joint IP Executive Committee, (this last perhaps a reference to the Joint Information Policy Committee). The latter two recommendations appear to have been carried out within the IPCC structure.

Broderick also circulated an annexe entitled 'The Undermining of the IRA's will to fight'. This called for 'the strongest possible personal attacks and smear campaigns on members of the leadership and middle management with a view to separating the leadership from their followers.' It went on to argue that no 'information policy campaign will have a chance of succeeding unless certain political decisions are taken by Government and publicised'. Convincing the public that there would be no amnesty for special category prisoners was seen as central to this.

IPCC Meeting 11 September 1974, Stormont Castle

• Present: Mr M Cudlipp NIO Chairman | Brigadier HEML Garrett HQNI | Mr P Broderick HQNI Information | Mr J N Allan NIO | Mr D Gilliland NIO Information Belfast | Mr B M Webster NIO | Mr F Corbett Central Secretariat Information | Mr R Ramsay Central Secretariat | Mr S Andrews NIO Information London | Mr D Revolta NIO (Secretariat)

This meeting decided against appointing a special coordinator of information on public opinion. It was agreed that 'Army IP paper (IRA Annex)' would be considered by a subcommittee of information officers, who would report on its feasibility. As some numbered points are missing from the report of the meeting in National Archives file CJ 4/887 it is possible other conclusions have been redacted.

A letter from BN Webster to David Gilliland suggests that the meeting also concluded that a subcommittee of Gilliland, Webster, Broderick and McGookin should examine Broderick's paper as a whole in order to devise proposals to put to ministers.

Subcommittee Meeting on Army Information Policy paper Annexe "A", 13 September 1974

A Subcommittee chaired by David Gilliland did not accept that an information policy campaign had no chance of succeeding 'unless certain political decisions are taken', but agreed that it should be clear that there would be no amnesty for special category prisoners. It also accepted that the paper set out the necessary groundwork, if the full committee 'agree that the time is right for an all-out assault on the IRA on the propaganda front'.

Subcommittee Meeting on Army Information Policy paper, 24 September 1974

A subcommittee chaired by David Gilliland met on 24 September 1974 to consider Broderick's paper 'Information Policy: Its Use in Northern Ireland'. It's report concluded:

The Sub-Committee accepted the hypothesis put forward in the paper and in the main the exposition of the nature of "Psyops". It was emphatic, as is the Paper itself, that in such operations credibility is of the essence. It therefore accepts the "armoury" listed at para 8 but recommends the deletion of (g) and (k).

It would not be the Committee's view that in a submission to Ministers an exposition of this nature or length should be included, nor would it be anxious to have the word "psyops" as from now freely used either internally or externally. The term information policy is considered to be less emotive.

The report concluded that with the existence of the IPCC the committee structures envisaged were already in existence. It suggested that information policy should focus on supporting the Government's proposals for political development, and suggested a campaign of professionally organised market research.

IPCC Meeting, 22 October 1974

A meeting on 22 October 1974 produced a redrafted version of 'Information Policy: Its Use in Northern Ireland' for submission to the Northern Ireland Secretary. In the new draft, reference to 'at the extreme - front organisations, peace festivals, rumour, etc,' was replaced with 'The creation of independent organisations which will support moderate policies, peace festivals and other uncommitted groupings.'

The new draft envisaged the following membership of the IPCC: Brigadier HEML Garrett, HQNI | D McDine HQNI | Dept CC [Kenneth Newman|K Newman]], RUC HQ | Mr W McGookin RUC HQ | Mr R J Seaman NIO London | Mr J Allan Laneside | Mr D Gilliland NIO | Mr T M Roberts (Central Sec) | Mr R Ramsay | Mr B M Webster NIO D/D House | Mr W Adler NIO D/D House | Mr D Wyatt Liaison Staff | Mr M Cudlipp (Chairman).

External resources

• National archives CJ 4/887. Information Policy Co-ordinating Committee. Chief Press Officer's file. Setting-up. Working papers. Future policy. 1974 Aug 13 - 1975 May 23.
• National Archives FCO 26/1570 Northern Ireland: Information Policy Co-ordinating Committee; papers and correspondence. 1974 Jan 01 - 1974 Dec 31.