NUJ backs Council of Europe call for improved journalist safety protections in Ireland
Anti-SLAPP provisions, PSNI surveillance and investment in public service broadcasting were among topics discussed at the two day meeting.
Representatives from the National Union of Journalists joined partner organisations of the Council of Europe’s safety of journalists platform this week, to discuss necessary action to safeguard journalists and journalism in Ireland.
Séamus Dooley, NUJ Irish secretary and Ian McGuinness, NUJ Irish organiser, discussed concerns including attempts by the Police Service of Northern Ireland to seek journalistic material from broadcasters; the PSNI’s failure to properly investigate Martin O’Hagan’s murder; PSNI covert surveillance of journalists and harm caused to journalism by inadequate investment in public service broadcasting.
Platform partners urged inclusion of anti-SLAPP provisions in the Defamation (Reform) Bill to ensure legal threats by the wealthy and powerful including politicians, could be tackled. The NUJ supports concern expressed that without provisions safeguarding journalists and their reporting, threats posed by the use of defamation law to silence and intimidate remains.
The Platform also expressed grave concern regarding the treatment of journalists and their sources in Northern Ireland and the NUJ has welcomed a call to the Irish government, urging its action with UK authorities to end abuses to press freedom. The union has strongly condemned revelations of covert PSNI surveillance into journalists and has voiced its support for ‘No Stone Unturned’ journalists Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney, including through recent Investigatory Powers Tribunal hearings.
Barry McCaffrey addresses the Platform.
© Tim Dawson
Partner organisations including the International Federation of Journalists met with Department of Justice and Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media officials as part of the two-day mission. There was recognition of the Irish government’s attempts to engage with journalists, but the Platform stressed such efforts must continue with sufficient resources on the Media Engagement Group on which the NUJ and representative organisations sit.
Séamus Dooley, NUJ Irish Secretary, said:
“The call by Platform partners for urgent action by the Irish government to ensure strengthened journalist protections in Ireland is welcomed. Whilst threats to journalists’ safety include a failure to sufficiently address the abuse of legislation through SLAPPs, provisions directly aimed at addressing this in the Defamation (Reform) bill would send a clear message that those seeking to pursue ‘lawfare’ will fail in the Republic.
“Once again, the NUJ repeats its calls for an urgent and independent investigation into the murder of Martin O’Hagan and with an upcoming election in the Republic, there is an opportunity as outlined by both the union and Platform, for this to commence. We must send a clear message that journalists and journalism can no longer be targeted by those seeking to cause harm whilst enjoying impunity for their actions.”