Jacko,
Firstly this isn't an anti-journo rant: indeed, I often read and usually enjoy your stuff.
MOD is (or certainly should be) publicly accountable; indeed, it is through Parliament on the 4 days a week the SofS isn't doing his part-time job. In this, it's basically the same as any other department.
However, I can't agree with your comment that
"Whether or not journalists/publishers make money from it is irrelevant."
It makes some difference - what would your view be if the MOD flogged off Chelsea Barracks to a developer for a song who then proceeded to make a fast buck? You'd be rightly outraged: and the same principle applies here.
In my view, if someone is going to make a packet out of repackaging and selling the stories of the RAF/MOD, AND there isn't a payoff in publicity / recruiting, then the journalists / programme makers should make a commensurate contribution. The question is one of balancing these requirements, and in this case it looks like the RAF has some work to do on this. (And yes, I know military history books make very little money!)
Just my tuppenth worth,
S41