Does the British Government have the right to apply a gagging order to the media?

Question

It seems every little or big thing that comes out about them they slap a gagging order on to the press and media straight away.

I fell this is totally wrong what do you think..??

Thanks Barrowman. but i was not referring to UFO's

I was reffering to a Judges refusal this morning to gag an article in the Guardian Newspaper at the request of the government regarding the Cash for Honours scandal, well done the judge

My question is purely about the government and its conduct, not Prince Harry, or D Notices or how many papers they will sell... just the government....!!!

Answer 1

Gag the media and you are effectively gagging free speech and democracy.

Answer 2

One of the many restrictions on press freedom in this country – which include the Official Secrets Act, Prevention of Terrorism Act, Police and Criminal Evidence Act, Contempt of Court Act, and laws relating to obscenity, libel, race relations, sedition, incitement to disaffection and treason, that is - is the ‘D Notice’ system.
A D Notice is something that the UK Ministry of Defence can issue in order to prevent magazine and newspaper editors from publishing anything which could be construed as a threat to the security of the Nation.
D Notices were first used in 1922 and have been used ever since, with little or no reform. Even the secrecy act of 1989 failed to overturn their power, even in the case of 'in the name of public interest'.
Just recently there have been many rumours circulating regarding numerous sightings of 'Black Triangles' over the United Kingdom. There is allegedly a D Notice in place now to stop the reporting of the 'UFOs', reportedly claiming that they are part of the UK Stealth project.
In effect D Notices have become a convenient way of censoring the press, yet trying to maintain the guise of a 'free press'. Sometimes you can even see a D Notice working. For example, how many times have you heard a news story on the early morning news, only to find it missing from later bulletins? Editors sometimes run a story, only to find a D Notice slapped on it and then it fails to make further news - just when your interest has been aroused and you are keeping an eye, or ear, out for it.
Because the United Kingdom is a relatively small country, the MOD has not got as many hiding places for testing secret projects as the US has. This is why certain places suddenly become 'off limits' for no apparent reason.
For example, one of the UK's main test centres for secret projects is Boscombe Down in Wiltshire. There are regular 'No Photography' signs posted along the perimeter and guards regularly patrol, although they generally turn a blind eye to watchers. However, a few years ago there was a mystery crash near the base and, immediately, there was a 'no go' zone around the area and spotters were threatened with legal action if they didn't leave the area immediately. The resulting road closure left rush hour traffic in chaos whilst MOD police cordoned off the area.
It seems that the UK Government is much better at keeping it's secrets than the US Government, who seem to be regularly in the news accused of some coverup or another. Apparently there is a large fine and/or imprisonment for ignoring a D Notice, even though it is not a legally binding document. However, to my notice no one has ever been convicted of breaking a D Notice. There again, we wouldn't know what has a D Notice on it or not, as if it does, it's highly likely that we won't know about it in the first place. Conversely, if an event doesn't have a D Notice on it, you can be pretty sure it's old news to the 'Powers that be' and therefore not a security issue.

Answer 3

Both Britain and America, Im not saying make it like Communist East Germany or anything. But the media should be required to show/tell the public ALL the truth. Meaning if America/Britain were to get in a war, w/ oh lets say somewhere in the Middle East. The media would only be telling the public about the ONE maybe TWO bombs that go off in a day, and not all the accomplishes the two Militaries had made. Hmm sounds a little familiar doesnt it?

Answer 4

End of the day, the media arent the defenders of virtue and truth, they want to sell papers and get viewing figures. They dont care what is in the public interest either or who they are hurting by releasing the info.

The government didnt slap on the gagging order, a judge did, with no motivation to route for the government OR the media, and therefore probably the only person concerned with the public interest and the safety and well being of those potentially disclosed.

Answer 5

I think you are exaggerating the problem. Governments will always have a need to have some control on the media to prevent important and sensitive information being leaked.

The UK government are a very light user of this facility these days.

Answer 6

The Media are the ones who need to be controlled. They just give any info to sell papers. They have even now told the Taliban exactly where they are sending Harry in Iraq which endangers his whole platoon.

Answer 7

I presume you're referring to the Goldsmith Cash for Questions gagging order in which case it was applied for by the police as they felt it might hinder their investigation. Not that the investigation will show anything - it will all be covered up in any case.

Answer 8

yes ????? those horrid morons at Westminster do what they like.

Answer 9

That's why they are the govt.