The Society of Editors has expressed deep concern following reports that journalists were subjected to background investigations in response to legitimate public-interest reporting.
Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society of Editors, said that attempts to scrutinise or profile journalists because of their work strike at the heart of democratic accountability and risk creating a chilling effect across the profession.
The comments follow media reports that Labour Together, a political think tank closely linked to senior figures within the Labour Party, commissioned a report examining the “backgrounds and motivations” of journalists at The Sunday Times who were investigating its funding arrangements. Reports suggest the document contained personal material about named reporters and raised allegations of foreign influence, and there are wider questions about whether other journalists may also have been referenced. The claims have prompted serious concern about the treatment of journalists carrying out legitimate scrutiny in the public interest.
“Journalists asking questions about funding, influence or public life are not adversaries to be investigated; they are carrying out a fundamental democratic duty,” she said. “The idea that reporters could themselves become the subject of intelligence-style inquiries simply for doing their jobs is profoundly troubling and sets a dangerous precedent, regardless of which political party or organisation is involved.”
Alford added that a free press depends on the ability of journalists to pursue legitimate lines of inquiry without fear of personal scrutiny or reputational smears. “Robust journalism will sometimes be uncomfortable for those in positions of power, but scrutiny must never be met with attempts to undermine or intimidate those asking questions. Public confidence in politics and institutions depends on transparency, not retaliation.
“A healthy democracy requires challenge, scrutiny and accountability, and that includes protecting journalists from becoming targets themselves.”
