Media and Press centre

Working in conjunction with the Defence Press Office the Directorate of News Media Operations team is responsible for ensuring deployed media operations teams are delivering the key strategic public messages.

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 67805 or 020 8099 2531.

Alternatively you can email the PIC at helmandpic@defencemediaops.co.uk

The Green Book

The Green Book covers Ministry Of Defence (MOD) Working Arrangements with the Media. This document is produced in consultation with editors and press and broadcasting organisations as a general guide to the procedures that the MOD will adopt in working with the media throughout the full spectrum of military operations.

It covers the practical arrangements for enabling correspondents to report on operations, including the MOD's plans for correspondents accompanying British Forces and sets out what editors can expect from the MOD and what the MOD seeks from the media.

Media Operations are critical to the successful outcome of any mission on the modern battlefield. They also provide a vital link between military operations on the ground, and understanding from the general public back home.

MOG(V) is a specialist TA unit. Its members work closely with the fighting troops. Senior officers advise Commanders and develop strategy. MOG(V) officers run the Press Information Centre (PIC), which is the first port of call for journalists in an operational theatre.

It is here that journalists are briefed on what is happening with the military campaign, given access to the spokesperson for interviews, and are briefed to contextualise events.

National and International Media

Enquiries should be routed through the Ministry of Defence's 24-hour press office number: 0207 218 7907 (+44 207 218 7907).

Regional Media

Defence Press Office

The Defence Press Office is part of the Directorate General Media and Communications (DGMC) based in Main Building in London. MOD Press Office details

Army photographers are the eyes and documenters of the military actions that shape our times. Often working under difficult conditions, their iconic imagery captures moments in history, and very often the very deepest of human emotions with vivid honesty and clarity, making their work some of the most sought-after.

Although controlled by the RLC the photographic branch is responsible for all photography in the Army, and its personnel will find themselves attached to the various regiments - indeed, wherever the Army finds itself on operational duties there will be a photographer present.

The Combat Camera Team (CCT) is a trio of defence correspondents for the MOD. It's their job to collect multimedia stories about British forces on operations in Afghanistan.

The three are all trained soldiers who have served in other parts of the Army, and can revert to this role if needs be. As a result, they are able to go forward and interact with troops in ways that other forms of media can’t.

As a news team, the CCT produce:

• video rushes and interviews for broadcasters;
• packaged videos for the web;
• written copy;
• stills photography ;
• podcasts and radio interviews; and
• live and pre-recorded interviews from the field.

The team’s stories and material are then distributed directly to the British and worldwide media.