Journalists could face jail after ministers back draconian spy law
JOURNALISTS and whistleblowers will be censored and could still face jail after ministers doubled down on a draconian new spy law.
Freedom campaigners welcomed the admission that tough new security laws could have a chilling effect on press freedom.
But critics said the small changes to the National Security Bill did not go far enough and still put reporters at risk for handling state secrets.
The new law could put at risk Sun stories exposing stories about our security services or armed forces.
The draconian rules make it an offence to handle and publish information which could assist foreign rogue states – but it doesn’t specify which ones.
A test of whether someone knows it is “reasonably possible” their conduct may help a foreign intelligence service has been strengthened to say an offence is only committed if what they do is “likely to” assist.
And campaigners say there needs to be a tough public interest defence added to the law – to properly protect the freedom of the press.
News Media Association chief executive, Owen Meredith said: “We welcome the Government’s recognition of concerns with the National Security Bill and how, as currently drafted, it risks criminalising journalists for legitimate reporting; contrary to stated intentions.
“We should not allow a situation where the public is deprived of knowing vital information because legislation unwittingly chills the media.”
And Dawn Alford, Executive Director of the Society of Editors, said: “We will now look to review the amendments in more detail to ascertain whether they are workable in practice and will offer the protections that are essential to safeguard journalistic activity.”
Security minister Tom Tugendhat said despite the changes the bill would play “a critical role” in preventing hostile foreign activity.
“It will give our intelligence agencies the tools they need to protect us and contains important new measures to fight back against hostile activity from foreign affairs.
“These amendments will focus the bill on the most serious threats we face.”