Freedom of the Press will not be stifled by controversial new anti-spying law, ... trends now
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Freedom of the Press will not be stifled by a controversial new anti-spying law, the Government vowed yesterday.
A Home Office minister insisted that the National Security Bill is intended only to protect the UK from threats from foreign states and not to interfere with the media.
Lord Sharpe of Epsom said journalists would not be prosecuted for writing articles critical of the Government that might assist hostile states, nor for handling leaked documents.
He said that only people who have been given orders or money by foreign intelligence services would be targeted.
And he pointed out that only state threats are covered by the law, not stories that reveal the ‘amorous adventures of Matt Hancock’.
Lord Sharpe of Epsom said journalists would not be prosecuted for writing articles critical of the Government
His reassurances came after senior politicians, lawyers and media organisations raised fears that the wording of the law – designed to update the Official Secrets Act – could see bona fide journalists jailed for up to 14 years for revealing major scandals and also have a chilling effect by deterring insiders from speaking out.
