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New Global Survey on Protection of Journalists' Sources
The first ever comprehensive global
study of protection of journalists' sources has found that there is
widespread legal recognition of the right around the world.
Titled:
“Silencing Sources:
An International Survey of Protections
and Threats to Journalists’ Sources”,
the report
of the study shows that
approximately 100 countries have adopted sources protection laws which
allow journalists to keep promises to confidential sources that their
identities will not be revealed.
The report was published by Privacy International, a privacy, human
rights and civil liberties watchdog based in the United Kingdom.
The recognition of the need for legal
protections has been growing. In the past few years, new laws have been
adopted in many countries including Belgium, Mexico, Switzerland, New
Zealand, Australia, Angola, Luxembourg and El Salvador. It is now also
recognized by nearly all major international bodies including the United
Nations, Council of Europe, African Union, Organization for American
States and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
According to Privacy International, the
most significant problems are found in those countries lacking a
specific law. It notes that the United States, Canada, the Netherlands
and Ireland are noteworthy as having no specific legal protections while
many journalists have been fined or jailed for not revealing their
sources.
However, it said, in many jurisdictions,
protections are being undermined by the regular use of search warrants
on media offices and journalists' homes because few have specific legal
protections on media-related searches.
Privacy International also reported that
protections are also being undercut in many countries by the use of
legal and illegal surveillance while the adoption of “data retention”
laws will seriously weaken protections by allowing authorities easy
access to journalists communications data.
Another problem is national security
claims which Privacy International says are also diminishing
protections.
According to the Organization, “There
have been numerous cases where journalists have been arrested,
prosecuted or harassed for disclosure of information under state secrets
laws. New Anti-terrorism laws adopted in numerous countries have given
authorities extensive powers to demand assistance from journalists,
intercept communications, and gather information.” |
