Select committee: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
The surveillance of journalists and press freedoms in NI
Open
Opened 15 Jan 2025
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
This session will look consider concerns around surveillance of journalists, including the recent judgment of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, as well as wider concerns over the use of SLAPPs, libel law in Northern Ireland and journalist intimidation.
Where it stands
The inquiry is open, opened 15 January 2025.
The committee has not published a report yet.
Evidence
- 1 oral evidence sessionLatest 5 February 2025
- 6 witnesses
Recent activity
- Correspondence from the Home Office regarding the journalist, Vincent Kearney’s, Investigatory Powers tribunal case, dated 10 September 2025.15 October 2025, Correspondence
- Oral evidence session5 February 2025, Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Feb 2025 |
Oral evidence session
Allison Morris, Crime Correspondent, Belfast Telegraph,
Barry McCaffrey, Journalist,
Malachi O'Doherty, Journalist and author,
Paul Tweed, Senior Partner, WP Tweed & Co,
Séamus Dooley, Assistant General Secretary, National Union of Journalists,
Trevor Birney, Producer and Journalist
|
View ↗ |
Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Allison Morris, Crime Correspondent, Belfast Telegraph | Not recorded | 1 |
| Barry McCaffrey, Journalist | Not recorded | 1 |
| Malachi O'Doherty, Journalist and author | Not recorded | 1 |
| Paul Tweed, Senior Partner, WP Tweed & Co | Not recorded | 1 |
| Séamus Dooley, Assistant General Secretary, National Union of Journalists | Not recorded | 1 |
| Trevor Birney, Producer and Journalist | Not recorded | 1 |
Correspondence
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| Published | Direction | Letter |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Oct 2025 | Not recorded | Correspondence from the Home Office regarding the journalist, Vincent Kearney’s, Investigatory Powers tribunal case, dated 10 September 2025. |