National action plan to protect journalists from ‘cowardly attacks’

JOURNALISTS are subjected to physical attacks and death and rape threats, MPS have said, as a national strategy to curb “cowardly attacks” was published by the Government.

The UK’S first national action plan is aimed at protecting journalists from abuse and harassment. They have reported suffering abuse and attacks, such as being punched, threatened with knives, forcibly detained and subjected to rape and death threats, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said.

Commitments in the new action plan include training for police officers and journalists, while prosecution services across Britain have reaffirmed their commitment to taking a robust approach to crimes against reporters.

Every police force is to be given access to a designated journalist safety liaison officer, and the National Police Chiefs’ Council has appointed a lead officer to take responsibility for crimes against journalists at a national level.

Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, said: “Freedom of speech and a free press are at the very core of our democracy, and journalists must be able to go about their work without being threatened. The cowardly attacks and abuse directed at reporters for simply doing their job cannot continue.

“This action plan is just the start of our work to protect those keeping the public informed, and defend those holding the Government to account.”

A survey of members of the National Union of Journalists in November last year found more than half of respondents had experienced online abuse, while nearly a quarter had been physically assaulted or attacked.

Facebook and Twitter have committed to respond promptly to complaints of threats to journalists’ safety online as part of the plan, according to DCMS.

The joint effort by law enforcement, broadcasters, publishers, industry bodies, unions and the Government has been endorsed by the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists.

Ian Murray, the executive director of the Society of Editors said: “The action plan recognises the urgency of protecting journalists carrying out their vital role in protecting democracy.”