Fact or Fiction? UK Intelligence Agencies’ Representation in the Press

Ward, Stephen; Lomas, Daniel W.B.

Abstract

In recent years, much has been written about the ‘openness’ of modern-day intelligence agencies and the role of the press. It has been argued that openness and wider engagement fits a pattern of manipulation, presenting a soften image of agencies to a wider audience and disseminating key national security themes. Through an analysis of five UK national newspapers between 2021 and 2023 – The Sun, The Mirror, The Daily Mail, The Times and The Guardian – this article assesses the impact of ‘openness’ on the reporting of intelligence and security matters in the UK and whether the so-called ‘lobby’ has shaped mainstream reporting, reflecting on the relationship between intelligence and the media more generally.

Citation

Ward, S., & Lomas, D. W. (2024). Fact or Fiction? UK Intelligence Agencies’ Representation in the Press. International Journal of Intelligence and Counter Intelligence, https://doi.org/10.1080/08850607.2024.2399627

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 28, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Dec 13, 2024
• Publication Date: Dec 13, 2024
• Deposit Date: Sep 2, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 14, 2026
• Journal: International Journal of Intelligence and Counter Intelligence
• Print ISSN: 0885-0607
• Electronic ISSN: 1521-0561
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08850607.2024.2399627
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/39162919
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08850607.2024.2399627