Supreme Court ruling - Victory for freedom of the press

YESTERDAY was a good day for press freedom and for democracy.

It would be hard to exaggerate the importance of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision against the Mahon Tribunal bid to muzzle the Sunday Business Post.

The tribunal had appealed the decision of the High Court not to grant a perpetual injunction preventing the Sunday newspaper and others from publishing material circulated privately in advance of public hearings with a direction that it should remain confidential. By dismissing the appeal, the Supreme Court effectively blocked the tribunal from securing an order that would restrict freedom of expression and affect the entire media.

The verdict could have a strong bearing on the tribunal case against the editor of the Irish Times and a correspondent to compel them to reveal the source of confidential information regarding payments made to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

The implications of the judgment are far-reaching, indicating the court will be slow to restrict the freedom of the press. Mindful of defamation and libel, the media has a duty to publish matters of public interest which might otherwise be swept under the carpet.