FOREWORD BY THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DIRECTOR OF NEWS
This document has been produced in consultation with editors and press and
broadcasting organisations as a general guide to the procedures that the
United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD) will adopt in working with the
media throughout the full spectrum of military operations.
It covers the practical arrangements for enabling correspondents
1
to report on
operations, including the MOD's plans for representative numbers of
correspondents to accompany British Forces. It also addresses the policy
and principles that will facilitate and may limit the activities of journalists
during operations.
In short, the document sets out what editors can expect from the MOD and
what the MOD seeks from the media. It is the result of continuing dialogue
between the MOD and media organisations and representatives which began
after the Falklands Conflict, was reviewed in the wake of the 1991 Gulf War
and now takes account of lessons learned from subsequent operations.
The document remains a statement of intent and should be read in
conjunction with specific advice that will be discussed with the media and
issued by the MOD as part of the planning and preparation for each
assignment.
JAMES CLARK
The following media organisations have participated in this revision of the MOD Green Book:
• The Newspaper Publishers Association
• The Newspaper Society
• National Union of Journalists
• The British Broadcasting Corporation
• ITN
• Sky News
• The Scottish Daily Newspaper Society
• The International News Safety Institute
• The Independent Defence Media Association
• The London News Security Group
1
In the context of this document, the term correspondent includes reporters, producers,
photographers, cameramen, technicians and media support staff (e.g. drivers, logisticians,
translators and security).
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