Protecting Sources & Material Flashcards
Filming & Photographing in Public Places
Private property
= trespassing
College of Policing Guidelines
- Police have no legal or moral responsibility to restrict media.
- Police can’t enforce to stop filming.
- Give media a viewing point.
- Editors decide what to publish.
- No permit needed for media
- Police should help media if it does not conflict with duties.
- Police have no power to delete/confiscate images without court order.
Protecting materials - Terrorism Act 2000
- Possess info likely to help a terrorist act
- Disclose info that would prejudice a terrorism investigation
- Withhold info about people funding terrorism
- Withhold info concerning suspected terrorist offences
Protecting materials - Police & Criminal Evidence Act
- Police can seize material under order granted by judge
- Law does not force journalists to answer police questions
- Special procedure measure
= non-confidential journalistic material
Interest of justice
Disclosure may be in interests of justice where it enables someone/organisation to exercise important legal rights & protect themselves from serious legal wrongs
Interest of justice issues
- Nature of info obtained from source
- The way in which source obtained the info
4 Main legal provisions
- CoCA 1981
- Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984
- Official Secrets Act
- Terrorism Act 2000
IPSO Code s14
Journalists have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of info
Ofcom Code s7.7
Guarantees given to contributors, confidentiality or anonymity should be honoured
Human Rights Act
ECHR Article 10 - right to freedom of expression
ECHR Article 8 - private life includes home and office
Section 10 CoCA Shield Law
Journalists could be in contempt if court orders them to reveal sources - Prevent crime or disorder - In interest of justice - In interest of national security - Penalties = fine or imprisonment
National Security
