The Society of Editors has issued the following statement after political activist Tommy Robinson was, this afternoon, found guilty of harassing two Daily Mail journalists

A jury at Southwark Crown Court found the 43-year-old, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, guilty of two counts of harassment causing fear of violence.

Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society of Editors said: “Press freedom is a fundamental pillar of any democratic society. It enables journalists to investigate matters of public interest, hold those in positions of power to account, expose wrongdoing, and ensure that the public has access to accurate and reliable news and information.

“No journalist should face the threat of violence or intimidation simply for carrying out their job. When journalists are targeted, harassed or restricted it not only has a devastating effect on the individual, it also undermines transparency, weakens accountability and threatens the public’s right to know.”