By Tony O’Reilly-
A renewed outcry for an inquiry into police surveillance of journalists has surfaced, with human rights organizations highlighting “considerable public disquiet” following revelations of covert intelligence operations targeting reporters in Northern Ireland.
Amnesty International and the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) have addressed a letter to the Northern Ireland Policing Board, urging decisive action to address the alarming implications of recent court disclosures.
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The revelations, stemming from a hearing of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) in London, have exposed a pattern of routine surveillance of journalists’ phone data by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
According to the letter, the IPT case has uncovered a troubling history of covert surveillance deployed against journalists over at least a decade, indicating a systematic breach of privacy and journalistic integrity.
The letter asserts that the partial and drip-feed disclosure of information by the PSNI, both to the IPT and the Policing Board, has eroded public confidence in law enforcement and undermined the fundamental principles of press freedom and civil liberties.
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PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher is to meet with the Policing Board leadership on Wednesday (Liam McBurney/PA)
It calls for immediate action by the Policing Board to launch an inquiry under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000, emphasizing the urgency of restoring accountability and transparency within the policing framework.
The ongoing controversy surrounding police surveillance of journalists has prompted widespread condemnation and calls for decisive action from political representatives and advocacy groups.
Alliance Policing Board member Nuala McAllister has voiced support for an inquiry, stressing the need for comprehensive measures to address past wrongs and rebuild public trust in policing.
Similarly, People Before Profit assembly member Gerry Carroll has urged Justice Minister Naomi Long to initiate a public inquiry, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the imperative of uncovering the full extent of misconduct.
In response to mounting pressure, PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher is scheduled to hold private talks with the Policing Board’s leadership on Wednesday.
While Mr. Boutcher has refrained from speculating on past events pending the outcome of the IPT case, the urgency of addressing public concerns and restoring confidence in policing cannot be overstated.
The forthcoming discussions between PSNI leadership and the Policing Board represent a critical juncture in determining the trajectory of accountability and transparency within Northern Ireland’s law enforcement agencies.
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