Suzanne Breen, Sunday Tribune Northern editor, has been threatened with sanctions under the Terrorism Act 2000 if she does not hand over to the Northern Irish police (PSNI) notes, papers, photos and other material relating to an interview with a Real IRA army council representative.
“All the information with which she was provided – anonymously – by the Real IRA member she interviewed, was published in the Sunday Tribune. Nothing has been hidden, nor has any agenda been pursued. The Real IRA interview was a basic job of journalism and one Suzanne achieved, in the public interest, because her independence and ethics are unquestioned,” reads an op-ed in the Tribune.
“It is a cornerstone of journalism that sources be protected.”