liberty central's civil liberties hero of the week: National Union of Journalists
This week, we'd like to draw attention to the campaigning work of the National Union of Journalists, which has been instrumental in two recent victories for civil liberties – the case of Suzanne Breen and the issue of police using counter-terrorism legislation to prevent photographers from doing their work.
In what is being described as a landmark ruling on press freedom, Breen today won the right to withhold material from the state, after a Northern Ireland judge ruled her life would be at risk if she handed over information related to an interview she conducted with the Real IRA after it killed two British soldiers in March. The NUJ has tirelessly campaigned on behalf of Breen, defending her right to live and work as a journalist in Northern Ireland, as outlined in their code of conduct. Journalists in Belfast and London held demonstrations and circulated petitions in support, declaring that the union "stood shoulder-to-shoulder" with Breen.
And yesterday, the campaigning actions of the NUJ on behalf of photographers were also rewarded when Lord Carlile, the government's official anti-terror law watchdog, criticised police officers' use of terrorism legislation to interfere with the rights of individuals to take photographs. The union organised a huge demonstration outside New Scotland Yard in February, when Section 76 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 was introduced, and later held a seminar for members entitled, "I'm a photographer not a terrorist: know your rights". Following the release of Carlile's report this week, Alan Johnson, the home secretary, promptly moved to reassure photographers that the law is not intended to target them. "Counter-terrorism laws are not designed nor intended to stop people taking photographs and the Home Office is working towards providing futher clarification both for the public and those involved in its enforcement," he said.
Nominate your civil liberties villain for the week in the comments below