Journalists say they were under surveillance over sources

Both Irish and Northern Irish journalists have reported being under surveillance by police as authorities try to identify confidential sources, according to a new report on the role of crime and security journalists in Irish democracy. Twenty-three journalists, some specializing in crime and security stories, and others being generalists, were interviewed for the report.

While some journalists in the Republic of Ireland believed An Garda Síochána would not use surveillance against them, many in Northern Ireland were convinced it had happened to them or suspected it had.

Dr Cian Ó Concubhair, assistant professor of criminal justice at Maynooth University, told RTÉ News that this should be a concern to everyone, not just journalists. He noted that a healthy democracy relies on a robust and independent media, and that protecting confidential sources is crucial for their work. One journalist reported being threatened with arrest if they did not reveal their sources, although this threat was never acted upon.

Others claimed Gardaí visited their workplaces to investigate their sources or demanded access to their notebooks and records. However, none of the journalists interviewed revealed their sources when asked.

The Garda Síochána responded to the report, stating that protecting journalists' rights to report freely and safely is a top priority. They emphasized that investigating journalists' records or equipment is subject to a balanced weighing of competing rights and obligations. The Garda Powers Bill is expected to address some of the ambiguities surrounding journalists' rights, but there are concerns that it could also prevent journalists from protecting their sources.

The authors of the report highlighted a culture of secrecy within An Garda Síochána, which hinders the disclosure of information. They called for a more transparent culture and better public provision of crime and policing information to reduce conflicts over journalists' sources.