Journalists could be seen to be police evidence gatherers if they are forced to hand over unseen footage of last month’s rioting in Belfast, a court heard yesterday.
Lawyers for news organisations resisting the PSNI’s legal bid to compel them to produce unbroadcast and unedited material claimed it could have a “chilling effect”, with a heightened risk to the safety of camera crews and reporters.
Opposition was set out as a judge was told material released by the media following a similar application after disorder last summer was crucial in 15 successful prosecutions.
