REACTION:JUDGE TOM Burgess's ruling has been widely welcomed by journalists, rights bodies and political parties.
Speaking outside court, Suz-anne Breen said she “couldn’t be happier” with the findings. “Hopefully this will set a precedent. I hope no other journalist will find themselves hauled before the court. I think it was a complete waste of time, resources and of taxpayers’ money, and hopefully the police will learn from this decision and no other journalist will find themselves in the position that I found myself – potentially facing up to five years for doing nothing other than my job.”
The National Union of Journalists said: “The PSNI has failed on this occasion, despite tactics aimed at intimidating the media.”
The union’s general secretary Jeremy Dear said: “We now hope that the security forces will concentrate on tracking down criminals and those responsible for murder, rather than targeting journalists.”
Irish secretary Séamus Dooley said: “No journalist should face the prospect of a prison sentence for doing their job in the public interest. Judge Burgess has recognised the central importance of the protection of journalistic sources, and also accepted that a journalist who hands over confidential material could put their life at risk.”
Amnesty International also greeted the court’s findings.
Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland programme director, said: “Freedom of the press is an essential element of the right to freedom of expression, recognised under international law, and in general includes the principle that journalists must be able to protect their sources. We welcome [the] decision, but remain concerned at this attempt by the PSNI to use secret evidence and anti-terrorism legislation against a journalist.”
SDLP Assembly member Alex Attwood said the judgment confirmed essential principles around the independence of journalists.
Alliance leader David Ford said: “This is a victory for the free press and for journalism as a profession.”
A spokesman said the PSNI accepted the decision. “Police will continue to endeavour to use every possible legal means to access information which may assist their inquiries. All the victims of the Massereene attack, their families and the community expect and deserve nothing less,”he said.