The Irish secretary of the national Union of Journalists has expressed ‘grave disappointment’ over a court’s decision to order journalists to hand over footage of a Belfast riot which took place last July.
Judge David McFarland decreed that un-broadcast footage held by the Press Association and two photo agencies; Press Eye and Photo Press, should be handed over – but said that the BBC, UTV and Sky were exempt from the order.
The ruling was made in favour of the public interest in identifying and prosecuting rioters but stoked fears that journalists could be compromised by being seen to collaborate with the police.
McFarland said however: “There is no evidence to support the proposition that journalists may become the targets of attack should they be perceived to be evidence gathering for the police."
NUJ Irish Secretary Seamus Dooley described the move as: “A serious blow to media freedom at a time when photographers were under threat from a number of sources in Northern Ireland."
He added: "It is disappointing that the Recorder refused to accept the principle that media workers should never be put in the position of quasi police officers. He refused to acknowledge the risk which arises when independent journalists are perceived to be potential agents of the State. It is surprising that he found there was no risk in journalists handing over material.
"In a week in which a working photographer was struck by a police baton in a dangerous riot situation in Belfast this ruling is another setback for the freedom of the press in Northern Ireland and we will be considering carefully the implications of the ruling."