Monday 1 June 2009

EU countries 'failing to respect journalists' right to protect confidentiality of sources'

The World Association of Newspapers' latest half year report on press freedom across the globe makes interesting reading.
It states: "Freedom of the press continues to be challenged in various parts of Europe and Central Asia. Death threats against or prosecution of journalists reporting on conflict zones, war crimes, and organised crime remain disturbingly common.
"In several EU countries authorities are increasingly prosecuting journalists and failing to respect the right of journalists to protect the confidentiality of sources. Anti-terrorism legislation is also affecting freedom of expression and governments seem to be using these laws for their own political purposes."
The report coincides with the police in Northern Ireland taking Sunday Tribune journalist Suzanne Breen to court to try and force her to hand over source material after she reported on claims by the Real IRA.

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