NUJ condemns court order on Derry riot tv film

The NUJ has expressed concern at the decision of the Crown Court in Derry to order the BBC, UTV and ITN to hand over all unbroadcast television film relating to disturbances during the Apprentice Boys parade in Derry, last August.

Séamus Dooley, the union’s Irish Secretary, said the NUJ would be urging the media organisations cited to appeal against the order issued by Judge Piers Grant.

He expressed “grave disquiet” at comments made by the judge in relation to the possible threat to journalists arising from such orders.

Judge Grant was quoted as saying that he was not satisfied that the handing over of unbroadcast material to the police would cause a risk to the life or limb of news photographers, nor did he believe they would be viewed as evidence-gatherers on the part of the police. He said there was “no evidence this had happened in the past”.

Séamus Dooley said Judge Grant appeared not to fully appreciate the distinct role of media workers covering public events. Neither did he appreciate the importance of the media being recognised as independent observers.

“Media organisations in Northern Ireland have received death threats and journalists have sustained serious injuries while covering events, “ he said.

Judge Grant ordered the media organisations to hand over material which had not been broadcast. In doing so he said journalists were properly present to record TV footage of what occurred. There had been an anxiety on the part of the participants in the disturbances to avoid detection by wearing scarves or balaclavas in an effort to conceal their identities.

In granting the order Judge Grant said he was satisfied there may be relevant evidence in the unbroadcast material, and it might be possible to identify people who later became involved in the disturbances by their clothing.

Dooley said: “The role of media organisation is to cover and report events. It is not the function of the media organisation to supply footage to the police. There was a strong police presence in Derry during the parade and the PSNI clearly have material gathered by the police and security forces which could be relied upon.

"It is difficult to imagine what other material could be in the possession of these media organisations. The PSNI also have full access to the broadcast material. In the circumstances the insistence on securing a court order for the handover of other material is both unnecessary and disturbing. Judge Grant’s comments have alarmed many journalists, who now feel that they will be put at risk when covering demonstrations. The NUJ is calling on media organisations to appeal this order and to take a strong, united stage against yet another blow to media freedom.”