For convenience, the DSMA-Notice Secretary is accommodated and administratively supported by the Ministry of Defence and paid as a civil servant. However, the Secretary works only for the Committee and is required to be independent and even-handed in his/her dealings with the media and officials. The Secretary has such access to official information as is necessary to make informed judgements when interpreting the DSMA-notices for the benefit of the media and officials alike. He is likewise privy to as much unpublished media information as is thought necessary to enable him to represent media views to officials.