When, in the early 1960s, James Baldwin wrote The Fire Next Time to try to explain racism, he could not have imagined that half a century later it would remain relevant.

The decision by the High Court in Northern Ireland that it is “minded to quash” the warrants obtained by police to carry out raids on the homes and office of Belfast journalists Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey is a welcome sign that at least one branch of the justice system in Northern Ireland is prepared to respect and vindicate press freedom.

A media company co-founded by Bob Geldof is adding a Belfast-based TV current affairs production company to its stable, it was announced today.