Even something as simple as putting publicly distributed media releases on-line creates some public information issues. Placing reports of a military exercise on the web creates some more complex issues. The main message of this presentation is that it is only through experience and practice that issues of use of the Internet for distribution of information to the public can be addressed. The web is not just an extension of other public information provision and information management processes. Procedures from paper information distribution need to be adapted and tested.
Information flows on the Internet are different, in important ways from previous communications.
Applicable law needs to be confirmed and some new case law made. Those who have pioneered this can teach others. However, there is still no substitute for experience. The Defence Home Page was launched on 2 March 1995. It was authorised for release by the then Director General Information Management and Communications Engineering, Brigadier Horne.