The Defence Press Office
The British public receive the majority of their information about the Armed Forces and MOD from the media. Engaging with and informing the media is critically important if we are to maintain public support for defence and the reputation of the Armed Forces.
The Defence Press Office (DPO) is responsible for the MOD’s day to day interaction with the global news media. It does this by providing the media with information and stories about defence issues and rapidly responding to all news enquiries.
The Press Office aims to present the facts about the MOD and the Armed Forces to the public so that the taxpayer can see what we are doing, why we are doing it and how we are spending their taxes.
Often, the most effective way to do this is to facilitate direct media access to defence establishments and personnel and we constantly strive to do this.
What does the Press Office do?
- Provides a 24 hour, 365 days a year enquiry service for the media and advice to Ministers and the Department;
- Provides official MOD comment on stories and corrects factually incorrect reporting (usually before publication);
- Explains Ministerial decisions and Defence policies through briefings, interviews, Press Conferences and media facilities hosted at defence establishments;
- Advises Ministers, the Armed Forces and officials on external presentation strategies, tactics and timing;
- Drafts and issues MOD Press Releases, statements and promotes defence stories;
- Develops handling plans for official announcements;
- Provides Press Officer support to Ministers and military officials during interviews, meetings and visits;
- Provides Press Officer support to MOD personnel;
- Facilitates direct contact between civil servants and members of the Armed Forces and the media.
Organisation
The DPO is part of the Directorate Media and Communications (DMC). It is led by the Head of News, a 1* Senior Civil Servant.
The DPO is based in Main Building in London. It is the hub of a network of regional Press Offices and other communications personnel (military and civilian) based in agencies and commands around the UK and overseas.
The Head of News is supported by three Chief Press Officers, who manage the three news teams in the Press Office: (Equipment, Personnel and Operations) and the regional Press Office network.
The Press Office is a mixed team of civilian and military personnel combining professional media and communications expertise with military experience.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
National and international media should direct their enquiries to the Ministry of Defence Press Office:
OPERATIONS
Afghanistan, other military operations and exercises, NATO
Tel: 020 721 87954
PERSONNEL
UK-based Defence medicine, Accommodation, Recruitment and Retention, Compensation, Equality and Diversity, Discipline, Legal issues, Training
Tel: 020 721 87909
EQUIPMENT
Equipment, Procurement, Logistics and Exports
Tel: 020 721 87714
24-hr MOD Press Office Duty Number: 020 721 87907
Regional media are encouraged to contact their Regional Defence Press Officer:
SCOTLAND
Sara Reed
Tel: 0131 310 2004
Mob: 07747 767963
NORTH EAST
Sean Edmunds
Tel: 01904 662433
Mob: 07768 711196
NORTH WEST
Greg Stringer
Tel: 01772 260219
Mob: 07899 962569
MIDLANDS
Mervyn Wynne Jones
Tel: 01743 262338
Mob: 07802 206729
WALES
Paul Barnard
Tel: 01446 744044
Mob: 07876 477795
EASTERN
Eleanor Treharne-Jones
Tel: 01480 425346
Mob: 07876 477803
SOUTH EAST
Susan Coulthard
Tel: 020 721 83259
Mob: 07771 835111
SOUTH WEST
Jason Impey
Tel: 01225 472505
Mob: 07768 671427
Other useful numbers:
Head of News
James Shelley
Tel: 020 721 85317
Chief Press Officer - Personnel
Nick Pett
Tel: 020 721 82906
Chief Press Officer - Operations
James Cox
Tel: 020 721 84677
Chief Press Officer - Equipment
Owen Bassett
Tel: 020 721 82586
Media Operations Team
Co-ordinates media bids to visit Afghanistan and other operational theatres.
Tel. 020 414 2357
Media Operations
Working in conjunction with the DPO, the Directorate of Media Communications' Media Operations planning team have a critical role during any deployment of the Armed Forces. They are responsible for ensuring deployed media operations teams are delivering the key strategic public messages outlined in a campaign Information Strategy. They are also responsible for coordinating all media bids to visit operational theatres and for overseeing the process by which such bids are approved and access facilitated.
The Media Ops team own the MOD's 'Green Book', produced in consultation with media organisations, which sets out the arrangements for journalists reporting from operational theatres.
The Media Ops team is a tri-service team and is led by a military Assistant Head.
UK Military Operations in Afghanistan
Media wishing to make enquiries about UK Military Operations in Afghanistan should contact the Helmand Press Information Centre (PIC) on 00 93 7981 67810 or 00 870 762 134 933. Alternatively you can email the PIC at helmandpic@defencemediaops.co.uk