Europe warns of ‘chilling effect’ of UK political pressure on the Guardian
Britain has been warned by Europe’s media freedom watchdog that the political pressure being applied to the Guardian newspaper over its publication of sensitive documents stolen by Edward Snowden could have a ‘chilling effect’ on journalism.
The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe singled out the atmosphere of ‘intimidation and harassment’ meted out to journalists, its editor and the paper at large by MPs.
Dunja Mijatovic, representative for media freedom at the organisation, told Reuters: “The continual accusations and attacks on the Guardian, their editor-in-chief and journalists by leading politicians is nothing but harassment and intimidation.
Just the possibility of raising terrorism-related criminal charges against journalists is problematic because it has a chilling effect. We are talking about issues that are...matters of public interest.
"Journalists must be free to report on all stories. I am surprised by the lack of solidarity by other UK media and journalists.
Mijatovic’s comments come in the wake of a bruising appearance by the paper’s editor, Alan Rusbridger, at a parliamentary hearing last December and Rusbridger’s previous affirmation that the government threatened legal action unless it destroyed or returned any classified documents in its possession – resulting in intelligence agents smashing up its hard drives.