Can journalistic privilege be used to avoid giving evidence?

The question of whether journalistic privilege exists and if it can be used as a reason for not giving evidence has been raised by Mr Justice Peter Charleton.

Mr Justice Charleton has been tasked with leading the tribunal of inquiry into allegations of an orchestrated smear campaign against Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe, including whether the media was used as an “instrument for the dissemination of lies”.

It is expected a number of journalists will be called to appear before the tribunal.