We’re used to being able to blog, text and post however and whenever we want. But if you’re a member of the British armed forces, new regulations that have been quietly introduced meanyou’re no longer able to do that. Under the new regulations, British service personnel can no longer blog, take part in surveys, speak in public, post on bulletin boards, play inmulti-player computer games or send text messages or photographs if the information they use concerns matters of defence unless they have the express permission of a superior officer. Also prohibitedis the sending of video, still pictures or audio. According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), which issued the regulations, the rules cover “all publicspeaking, writing or other communications, including via the internet and other sharing technologies, on issues arising from an individual’s official business or experience, whether on-duty, off-dutyor in spare time.” According to human rights lawyers, these rules, which amount to a gag order, may be illegal, in contravention of Article 10 of the Human Rights Act, under which peopleare allowed freedom of expression. Under previous rules, personnel had to seek permission to speak in public, but online debates and blogs weren’t covered. However, many personnel have writtencritically about issues involved in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the MoD’s director general of media communications, Simon McDowell, these new rules are not a form ofcensorship or gagging. “We are trying to give straightforward, clear guidance that is up to date. The existing regulations were confusing and didn’t include things like acceptingpayment. It applies to communicating about defence matters, not personal things. Particular things can impact on operational security; information which somebody can get a hold of. Even a littlephotograph sent from Afghanistan on a mobile phone could endanger people’s lives and break operational security.”
