It’s not quite shoot the messengers. But maybe imprison them ??

The case of journalist Suzanne Breen, taken to court this week because she refused to reveal sources in stories concerning the Real IRA, highlights one of the trickier aspects of ensuring freedom of the Press.

Police investigating the murders of two young soldiers had demanded that she hand over her notebooks and other material. Quite properly and bravely, given the fact that she could go to jail for refusing, Suzanne said no.

Journalists do not reveal their sources. That is an immutable rule. If we did, we would not be operating as journalists at all. Sources talk to journalists on this understanding. It is how information gets into the public domain. And it is in the public interest that this continues.

By taking a stand, Suzanne, who is a brilliant and highly professional reporter, put her own freedom on the line.

She has the support of the entire journalistic profession and she is right when she says: “It is not the job of journalists to be detectives.”

The detectives shouldn’t be targeting the messengers.