(IPI/IFEX) – IPI is deeply concerned over the threat by a British court to jail Dublin-based editor Ed Moloney unless he breaks rules of professional secrecy. **Updates IFEX alert of 3 September 1999** Moloney, Northern Ireland editor of the “Sunday Tribune” in Dublin, faces jail under the UK Prevention of Terrorism Act if he does […]
(IPI/IFEX) – IPI is deeply concerned over the threat by a British court to
jail Dublin-based editor Ed Moloney unless he breaks rules of professional
secrecy.
**Updates IFEX alert of 3 September 1999**
Moloney, Northern Ireland editor of the “Sunday Tribune” in Dublin, faces
jail under the UK Prevention of Terrorism Act if he does not hand over his
notes of an interview made in 1989 with William Stobie, a member of an
illegal Protestant paramilitary group, who has been charged with the murder
of a Catholic lawyer, Pat Finucane, ten years ago. Behind the case are
allegations of collusion between loyalist paramilitary groups and Northern
Ireland police over the murder.
On 2 September 1999, a court in Belfast, Northern Ireland, gave Moloney
seven days to hand over his notes to police officers investigating
Finucane’s killing. Moloney, who vowed not to surrender his notebook, could go
to jail for five years, or receive a heavy fine, if he continues to
refuse. On 9 September, a stay of order until Tuesday 14 September was
granted by the court. However, IPI understands that the judge warned against
observers making the assumption that Moloney would automatically be
successful in his fight to preserve the journalist’s right to protect
confidential sources.
IPI believes that the case against Moloney has serious implications for
press freedom. The right to preserve confidentiality of sources is one of
the fundamental elements of professional journalism. If this right is not
assured, the betrayal of trust involved would mean that the safety of
journalists would be endangered and the press would be unable to fulfil its
primary function in any democracy, namely that of a watchdog, constantly
investigating and exposing abuses of power.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the prime minister:
his
notes be dismissed and that Great Britain recognise professional secrecy
among journalists, which, according to the European Court of Human Rights,
is one of the cornerstones of press freedom
Appeals To
His Excellency Tony Blair
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London, United Kingdom
Fax: +44 171 925 0918
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
