What the papers say: MI6 opens up with launch of website
The Secret Intelligence Service has put necessity above secrecy. It has learnt a new lingo and launched itself into cyberspace. ‘Licensed to surf: MI6 comes out of the shadows and onto the web’ led The Times (13 October).
The site highlights SIS's remit and seeks to dispel myths. SIS wants talent and diversity in the fight against international crime and
terror. As The Guardian quoted: 'In the fight against al-Qaeda we need people, not tanks' (17 October).
Vnunet.com had a jovial take on concerns: 'MI6 launches website. Cat stroking megalomaniacs need not apply' (14 October). But the BBC assured that 'security checks' would spot 'unscrupulous individuals, journalists, or even al-Qaeda sympathisers' (13 October).
Security checks, however, could not quell public debate: poor design and slow, unstable web connections were among early criticisms.
Analysis conducted by Echo Research from data supplied to PRWeek from NewsNow.
