Police Surveillance of Journalists Ruled Unlawful by Tribunal

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal found that Northern Ireland police violated press freedoms in a covert operation targeting reporters' sources.

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal ruled that a surveillance operation authorized by former Northern Ireland police chief Sir George Hamilton was unlawful.
Journalists Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney, who were targeted during the investigation, were awarded £4,000 each in damages.
The tribunal found the operation violated Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects journalistic sources.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland previously apologized and paid £875,000 in damages to the journalists for inappropriate searches and arrests in 2018.
Calls for a public inquiry have intensified, with advocates citing concerns over state surveillance abuse and press freedom protections.