NCJ Number
86148
Date Published
1982
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The experience of relations between the press and the British Government in the context of terrorism indicates that the Government's support of press freedom tends to erode with the escalation of terrorist violence.
Abstract
Police requests for press blackouts in connection with terrorist incidents, particularly kidnappings, have been successfully implemented in particular incidents, but various media officials have made it known that they will consider each such request on its own merits and will not feel obliged to honor all such requests. In March 1979, the BBC and New Scotland Yard reached an agreement on sensitive programming whereby guidelines establish procedures BBC producers must follow when making programs in 'potentially sensitive' areas that require the cooperation of the Metropolitan Police and the use of police facilities. The police could complain to the BBC in advance of a program's transmission of any violations of the agreement and, if necessary, register a formal complaint with the director-general of the BBC. The Prevention of Terrorism Act of 1974 makes it illegal for any person to solicit or invite 'financial or other support for a proscribed organization.' This would seem to prohibit the media from paying any terrorist sources for their interviews as well as raising questions about news stories that appear to invite financial support for terrorist groups. Further, the withholding of information on terrorist activity is also outlawed, along with the setting up of meetings of three or more persons who would be addressed by the representative of a proscribed group. These provisions of terrorist legislation have frequently been used as grounds for investigating the legality of various media contacts with terrorists. Forty-five footnotes are listed.