Journalist faces prison for refusing to reveal sources

Fri, 03 Sep 1999 05:00:00 +0000

(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter sent to the British attorney-general, John Morris,
RSF expressed concern about threats of imprisonment made by a Belfast court
against journalist Ed Malonay after he refused to give police his notes of
an interview with a man charged with murder. While recognising the
complexity of the case which involves several interests, including that of
the state, RSF pointed out that according to the European Court of Human
Rights, “the protection of journalists’ sources is one of the cornerstones
of press freedom.” RSF secretary-general Robert Ménard added that if this
protection was not assured, the press would be less capable of supplying
precise and reliable information on matters of general interest, and
journalists would risk reprisals.

On 2 September 1999, a court in Belfast, Northern Ireland, gave Malonay, a
Belfast-based journalist working for the “Sunday Tribune” in Dublin, a week
to hand over to the police his original notes of an interview with William
Stobie, a police informer charged with involvement in the 1989 murder of
Roman Catholic lawyer Pat Finucane. The journalist refused on the grounds
that revealing sources was contrary to journalistic ethics and could also
endanger him personally. When the week’s deadline is up, he faces a heavy
fine and a prison sentence of between six months and five years. Stobie’s
statements hinted that the Northern Ireland police had been informed that
Finucane’s murder was being planned. The Ulster Freedom Fighters, an armed
Protestant group, have claimed responsibility for the killing.

The post Journalist faces prison for refusing to reveal sources appeared first on IFEX.

Harassment of independent news network

Wed, 22 Oct 1997 05:00:00 +0000

(Freedom House/IFEX) – The Falkland Islands government has been
harassing the independent Falkland Islands News (FIN) Network,
reports Juanita L. Brock, bureau chief of the FIN Network, which
includes the “Teaberry Express” and “Financial Information &
News”. According to Brock, the government bought a competing
newspaper, the “Penguin News”, sold advertising for it,
distributed it on the streets, and when it ran a deficit,
provided a government subsidy to keep the paper afloat.
Meanwhile, no subsidy is given to the independent FIN Network.
Additionally, reports Brock, when the government is criticized by
the FIN Network, its newsprint costs and freight charges are
increased. It would seem that the government permits the FIN
Network to function, but only at a poverty level, in order to
claim that an independent press exists.

Brock adds that the government also sent its Broadcasting Officer
to Montevideo, Uruguay to undermine the FIN Network’s
relationship with its client there. After many such negative
calls over two years, the client “switched loyalties” to the
government entity.

The Falkland Islands government has autonomous power over
domestic issues on the islands.

Recommended Action

Send appeals to the director of the Commonwealth Press Union:

asking him to raise at the meeting of the Commonwealth nations
and the CPU the harassment of the independent Falkland Islands
News Network by the Falkland Islands government, and to take
appropriate action

Appeals To



Mark Robinson

Director

Commonwealth Press Union

London, England

Fax: +44 171 583 6868

e-mail: cpu@compressu.demon.co.uk

Please copy appeals to the source if possible.

The post Harassment of independent news network appeared first on IFEX.

Falkland Islands (United Kingdom) - IFEX

Journalist faces prison for refusing to reveal sources

Harassment of independent news network

Recommended Action

Appeals To