McDowell denies privacy law will ‘muzzle’ media

TÁNAISTE and Justice Minister Michael McDowell last night strongly defended sweeping new privacy laws as critics accused him of trying to “muzzle” the press.

Mr McDowell insisted the proposed measures were needed to protect the rights of ordinary people and were not a charter for the rich and famous.

The minister also denied the moves would curtail investigative journalism as news organisations would be able to claim a form of “public interest” defence.