Peers Condemn Violence Against Journalists

Peers have spoken out in defence of press freedom and the vital role of the media in democratic society after journalists and politicians received death threats from paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. 

During an oral answer session on Northern Ireland paramilitary groups, Members of the House of Lords condemned violence against journalists as “direct assault on our democracy,” adding that reporters must be free to report facts and express opinions right across the political and community spectrums.  

Lord Caine, Conservative, tabled a question asking what support the Government is giving to journalists and politicians in Northern Ireland who have received death threats from paramilitary groups.

Viscount Younger of Leckie, for the Governement, said:My Lords, journalists play a vital role in our society, as do the public representatives who have defended press freedoms. It is unacceptable that they should find themselves threatened for doing their job.

“We give the fullest possible support to efforts to tackle the threat from groups involved in terrorism and paramilitarism in Northern Ireland, supporting the PSNI with additional security funding and the Northern Ireland Executive’s programme to tackle paramilitary activity, criminality and organised crime.”

Lord Caine responded: “My Lords, does my noble friend agree that the recent death threats to journalists and politicians in Northern Ireland from paramilitary groups are, quite frankly, beyond despicable and have no place in any society based on democracy and the rule of law?

“The 2015 fresh start agreement, which I helped to negotiate, contained a number of commitments to tackle paramilitary activity. However, while some progress has been made, it is limited.

“Does he agree that everyone in Northern Ireland should be able to go about their daily business without threat or the fear of threat, and that we now urgently need a renewed, serious effort to put all paramilitary groups—they were never justified in the past and have no justification today—out of business for good?”

Lord Oates, Liberal Democrats, said: “My Lords, whether it is paramilitaries intimidating politicians and journalists in Northern Ireland or fascists beating up photographers in Parliament Square just this weekend, such actions represent a direct assault on our democracy. Will the Government therefore consider whether an aggravated criminal offence is necessary to deal with those who attempt to impede our democracy in this way?”

Viscount Younger agreed and responded: “I take note of the noble Lord’s point. To echo his thoughts, I say that a free, independent media is a cornerstone of our democracy. It is vital that the media and elected representatives can continue their work without the fear of attack or threat.”

Lord Bruce of Bennachie, Liberal Democrats, denounced attacks on journalists and politicians saying that there was “absolutely no justification” for any threats to journalists or politicians that raise the prospect of a descent back into the spectre of violence that the Good Friday agreement sought to end.

Responding, Viscount Younger agreed: Journalists play a vital role in Northern Ireland, and I say again that they must be free at all times to do their jobs without fear of violence. The Secretary of State made that clear last month when he signed the public statement issued by the National Union of Journalists.”

Acknowledging that these were complex issues, demanding “a long-term, thoughtful approach,” Viscount Younger concluded: “All parties must continue to work together. The Secretary of State and the Northern Ireland Executive are working very hard with [Brussels and Dublin] to achieve what he sets out: namely, a permanent, long-lasting peace. There is absolutely no place in any society for threats or violence, and certainly not in Northern Ireland.”