IMPORTANCE OF JOURNALISM IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST

Early day motion 2091, tabled 19 February 2019 by Conor McGinn (Labour). Signed by 22 members.

That this House celebrates the importance of investigative journalism in the public interest; believes that a free press is critical to the health of democratic society and that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right; is concerned by the arrests of National Union of Journalists members Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney; commends their award-winning documentary No Stone Unturned about the Loughinisland massacre of 1994; notes that the journalists have not yet been charged with any offences; and while respecting due process asks the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Durham Constabulary to clarify the basis of their investigation into these two respected journalists and to address concerns about the way in which it has been conducted.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, Scottish National Party 3, Labour/Co-operative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Conservative 1, Liberal Democrat 1.