On Thursday 19 September, Head of College, Professor Rory Medcalf, along with his Senior Adviser Katherine Mansted and Visiting Fellow Jacinta Carroll appeared before the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security Inquiry into the impact of the exercise of law enforcement and intelligence powers on the freedom of the press.

At the Inquiry Professor Medcalf suggested that national and public interest are not at odds, they’re symbiotic, and that they can and should support one and other. Whilst Jacinta Carroll warned of the espionage threat that comes with a free press, Katherine Mansted said censorship and media control were features of totalitarian states, while press freedom was a national security “force multiplier” for democratic societies.

The National Security College is thankful for the opportunity and proud to have its staff support the Committee in its work.