U.K. tells military: No paid interviews

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

U.K. tells military: No paid interviews 2 minutes ago



LONDON - The government on Monday banned all British military service members from talking to the media in return for payment.

Defense Secretary Des Browne issued a statement saying the navy faced a "very tough call" over its decision to allow the 15 marines and sailors who were held captive in Iran to receive payments for their accounts, the first of which were published in the media Monday.

He said lessons must be learned from a review the ministry of defense is now conducting regarding the regulations that affect service members talking with the media.

"I want to be sure those charged with these difficult decisions have clear guidance for the future," Browne said in his first comment about the controversy.



Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/index.htm

[babylonsister]

1. Here's a thread for some context; yesterday they were allowed to

sell their stories; guess that didn't go over too well!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=603794&mesg_id=603794

[CJCRANE]

2. Doesn't matter.

The propaganda* is out. That was the purpose of it.

*I'm sure the sailors are telling the truth but sensationalizing it in stories in tabloid newspapers can only help to serve as propaganda to the masses.

[youngdem]

3. This is to keep quiet what happened to them

Perhaps they were treated better than Iranians in Coalition custody? Perhaps these troops let on that they were indeed in Iranian waters to provoke them?

Who knows, but this decision is WAY out of line unless there is something to hide.

[CJCRANE]

4. Two of them have already sold

their stories. The ban is on any further sales.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6538921.stm