The ‘imperfect’ system that keeps the UK safe 

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His name may not ring any bells but Brigadier Geoffrey Dodds OBE has a massive responsibility. As Secretary of the Defence and Security Media, Brigadier Dodds’ main duty is to prevent inadvertent public disclosure of information that would compromise UK military and intelligence operations and methods, or put at risk the safety of those involved, leading to attacks on critical national infrastructure and loss of life.  

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Brigadier Geoffrey Dodds is part of the Defence and Security Media Advisory Committee which oversees a voluntary code operating between the Government departments which have responsibilities for national security and the media. It uses the Defence and Security Media Advisory Notice System (DSMA) in order to do this.  

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The joint committee between the government and the media is non-statutory, independent and senior, with the UK preferring voluntary agreements over mandatory arrangements, this is ideal. The system has been in place since the start of the second Boer War in 1899 and as Brigadier Dodd’s states it isn't perfect but works for the UK. 

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The key issue facing the committee is the same now as it was when it was first introduced - to reconcile two conflicting requirements: the UK Government’s need to protect key national security information and the UK media’s need to inform the public, hold the government to account and underpin the principles of freedom of expression.  

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As the only full-time member of the committee, Brigadier Dodds’ role involves scanning the media seven days a week, 365 days a year to enable the media to publish information without damaging national security. 

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He says the ‘grey fuzzy mess’ system fits nicely into British culture, with the alternative being more government legislation or a media free for all. But with the increased use of social media and alternative media the landscape is far more complicated for Brigadier Dodds and the DSMA Notice system.