7 NI STANDS TOGETHER FOR PRESS FREEDOM


Every worker has the right to go to work and come home from a day’s work free from intimidation, fear or threat to them and


their families. Any functioning normal society has certain values and part of that is the freedom [of citizens] to go about their business without intimidation and fear of their lives. Our movement cannot take to the streets now, so this is an alternative vehicle for showing solidarity with hard-working journalists and politicians who have had these outrageous threats brought to them.


— Owen Reidy, Assistant General Secretary, ICTU.


Journalists expose paramilitaries trying to behave in the old ways. There are some trying to move on and play a constructive role in their communities while others seem


to continue as organised crime gangs, This is being exposed by journalists, so they do what they think they are entitled to do and threaten them. My message is: It is time that you left the stage,


otherwise the threats have brought a renewed focus to your activities and the full power of a democracy will be brought against you in the future, and to those from the so-called republican side who try to continue in the old ways.


— Trevor Ringland MBE, solicitor and former Ireland and British & Irish Lions star


The recent paramilitary threats targeting journalists and politicians represent an assault upon our society and upon


democracy. This cannot be tolerated. Previous generations put their lives on the line to protect free speech. We must continue to defend that freedom today.


These attempts to silence journalists in Northern Ireland cannot succeed. Those responsible for protecting citizens must ensure that paramilitary organisations are not allowed to continue to operate in any part of Northern Ireland. We salute those who have stood up for the right of the media to operate without fear or intimidation. The PSNI must be given adequate resources to combat this unacceptable behaviour and those who occupy positions of authority must be unambiguous in dealing with all paramilitary groups.


— Anthony Bellanger. General Secretary, International Federation of Journalists


A free press is vital. My bottom line is we do not need the paramilitaries, on both sides. The Assembly and Executive have enough to


worry about, as do journalists out covering stories for us. Their lives and their family’s lives should not be under threat.


— Baroness May Blood — Arlene Foster, First Minister, Northern Ireland


Intimidation of journalists and those in public life must never be tolerated. These threats, and those behind them should be condemned by each and every


one of us. The freedom of the press is of fundamental


importance to our democracy and those who seek to attack that democracy have no place in our society.


— Michelle O’Neill, Deputy First Minister


A free press is an essential pillar of our democratic society. It is not expected that we agree with all opinions or news reports but what is expected is our expressed


support for that pillar.


— The Right Reverend Chris Hudson MBE, Moderator of the Non Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland


At a time when journalists are playing an important role in providing independent, verifiable information it is alarming to learn that reporters and media organisations in Northern Ireland have again been threatened by paramilitary groups. The health, safety and welfare of workers is


of paramount importance and it is extremely encouraging to witness such strong cross- community support for journalists currently. There is no place in a civilised society for the


intimidation of journalists or of those who defend the media’s right to seek the truth, no matter how uncomfortable that may be for those under scrutiny.


— Esther Lynch, Deputy General Secretary, European Trade Union Confederation


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