Garda Powers Bill has puzzling treatment of journalistic privilege

Surely the minister for justice wants the best protections for the rights of journalists in fulfilling their essential democratic role, writes Cian Ó Concubhair

Once the police are given access to journalistic materials, the risk of improper disclosure of confidential information is very high. Picture: iStock

Journalists across the globe have long refused to name their confidential sources when pressed by police or courts. Their asserted right to resist such disclosure is usually called “journalistic privilege”.

Confidential sources often have very good reasons for wishing to remain anonymous.