Was the BBC given a DSMA-Notice restricting certain reporting in relation to the COVID-19 situation?

Reverend Croad made this Freedom of Information request to British Broadcasting Corporation

Currently waiting for a response from British Broadcasting Corporation, they should respond promptly and normally no later than (details).

Reverend Croad
Delivered

Dear British Broadcasting Corporation,

If you were subjected to a DSMA-Notice, I understand that you cannot publish the specific contents of it - however, I am simply asking was the BBC give a DSMA-Notice by the government, that is a Defence and Security Media Advisory Notice, restricting what the BBC was allowed to report during the COVID-19 situation, and are you aware of other broadcasters being subjected to DSMA-Notices?

If the answer to the first question is yes, and you are able to at least mention what reporting was not allowed, even if you are not able to give detail, can you confirm that the DSMA-Notice related to ensuring that only the government narrative on the COVID-19 situation was allowed to be reported?

Yours faithfully,

Reverend Croad

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FOI Enquiries, British Broadcasting Corporation

Dear Reverend Croad,

Thank you for your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as detailed in your email below. Your request was received on 03 September 2020.  We will deal with your request as promptly as possible, and at the latest within 20 working days. If you have any queries about your request, please contact us at the address below.

The reference number for your request is RFI20201363.

Kind regards,

Information Rights

BBC Freedom of Information
BC2 A4, Broadcast Centre
201 Wood Lane
London W12 7TP

www.bbc.co.uk/foi
Email: [BBC request email]

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