Is the use of journalists as police informants a danger to a free media and the right to protest?

[Roma Virtual Network]

The explicit use of the reporter as an agent of state intelligence is dangerous for journalists as well as for protesters of all types. It can only undermine democracy in Britain. In particular, those engaging in civil disobedience as at Dale Farm, will be made even more wary. As the general secretary of the NUJ Michelle Stanistreet said last month reporters' ability to play their critical public interest role is being further eroded.

 

So-called Forward Intelligence Units are a staple feature of most protests in the UK, with several officers filming and logging down details of protesters. The impunity with which these operate is troublesome in itself. But the attempt to use journalists as police informants is a positive danger to both a free media and the right to protest. As yet another step in the criminalisation of dissent it needs to be vigorously opposed.

 

Read more on http://www.romabuzzmonitor.net/2012/04/dale-farm-media-resist-police/

 

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