Amnesty International has welcomed the decision by Judge Tom Burgess in a Belfast court today to refuse an application for a court order by the Police Service of Northern Ireland compelling Suzanne Breen, northern editor of the Sunday Tribune newspaper, to hand over material obtained in the course of her work as a journalist.

Amnesty International Northern Ireland Programme Director Patrick Corrigan said:

“This case had serious implications for the freedom of the press in the UK and Ireland.

"Freedom of the press is an essential element of the right to freedom of expression, recognised under international law, and in general includes the principle that journalists must be able to protect their sources.

“We welcome today’s decision but remain concerned at this attempt by the PSNI to use secret evidence and anti-terrorism legislation against a journalist."