DSMA notice 7 March 2018
This is the text of a 'DSMA notice' (formerly known as 'D notices') issued to the British media on 7 March 2018 and obtained by Spinwatch from a reliable source. Redactions indicated by 'XXX' have been applied to possible personal data. For more information see: Defence and Security Media Advisory (DSMA) Notice System
From: DSMA Secretary <secretary@dsma.uk>
Date: 7 March 2018
Subject: URGENT FOR ALL EDITORS - DEFENCE AND SECURITY MEDIA ADVISORY (DSMA) NOTICE
Private and Confidential: Not for Publication, Broadcast or for use on Social Media
TO ALL EDITORS
The issue surrounding the identify of a former MI6 informer, Sergei Skripal, is already widely available in the public domain. However, the identifies of intelligence agency personnel associated with Sergei Skripal are not yet widely available in the public domain. The provisions of DSMA Notice 05 therefore apply to these identities. DSMA Notice 05 inter alia advises editors against the:
'inadvertent disclosure of Sensitive Personnel Information (SPI) that reveals the identity, location or contact details of personnel (and their family members) who have security, intelligence and/or counter-terrorist backgrounds, including members of the UK Security and Intelligence Agencies, MOD and Specials Forces.' The full text of DSMA notice 05 can be found on the DSMA website.
If any editor is currently considering publication of such material, may I ask you to seek my advice before doing so?
Please do call or email me if you have any questions or need further clarification.
I would be grateful were the Press Association and Society of Editors to promulgate this notice through their own networks.
Thank you,
Yours sincerely, John Alexander Group Captain John Alexander | Second Deputy Secretary | Defence and Security Media Advisory Committee | Level 4 Spine 4, Room 113, Ministry of Defence Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB | Office 020 7218 2206 | mobile 07xx xxx xxxx | secretary@dsma.uk | www.dsma.uk
