Study: UK media fails to disclose defence industry ties of retired military experts in nearly 60% of cases
By
Iain Overton
Slow-proofed and worth the wait. Worth its weight in flour.
Summary
A report by AOAV (Action on Armed Violence) reveals that UK media outlets frequently present retired senior military figures as independent defence experts without disclosing their commercial ties to the defence, security, intelligence, and technology industries. Analyzing media reports between 2015 and May 2026, the study found that nearly 60% of former key military personnel with links to the defence industry were cited in British media primarily by their military rank without mentioning their industry affiliations. This pattern potentially obscures conflicts of interest in public debates over war and military spending.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledAOAV identified a repeated pattern where almost 60% of former key military personnel with links to the defence industry were found to have been – at least once – cited in the British media primarily by a reference to their military rank.
Retired senior British military figures are frequently presented in the UK media as purely independent experts on defence and security matters without mention of their personal commercial and employment interests.
This pattern potentially obscures conflicts of interest in public debates over war and military spending.
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