Journalists working in ‘climate of fear' in midst of death and rape threats, report claims
The report outlines that some journalists have been physically attacked
Amnesty International released the report which details experiences of journalists in Northern Ireland (Kevin Scott/Belfast Telegraph)
Journalists in Northern Ireland are working in a 'climate of fear' in the midst of death and rape threats along with threats of paramilitary reprisal, Amnesty International has claimed.
A new report features interviews with reporters, including the Belfast Telegraph's Allison Morris, who have been told they will be shot or stabbed, threatened with bombs under their car and given 48-hour ultimatums to leave the country — all because of their journalism.
It names Northern Ireland as the most dangerous place in the UK to work as a journalist.
The report outlines that some journalists have been physically attacked.
Equipment has also been damaged and reporters' cars have been battered with poles with nails attached to them.
Northern Ireland has seen two journalists killed over the years — Martin O'Hagan and Lyra McKee — in 2001 and 2019 respectively.
The evidence from those most at risk outlined the steps they'd taken to safeguard themselves, including having their homes fitted with bulletproof windows and alarms linked to police stations.
The report includes testimony from Belfast Telegraph crime correspondent Allison Morris, who said she is living under constant threat.
'I'm convinced someone's going to kill me at some point,' she said.
'I always think I'll never die of natural causes. Most of the time, I pretend that the threats don't annoy me, but clearly, they do. This is not a normal way to live.'
Ms Morris said the police visited her home nine times between December 2023 and October 2024 to deliver threats from paramilitary or criminal groups. On one occasion she received a warning and 24 hours later a pipe bomb was discovered near her house.
Sunday Life news manager Ciaran Barnes also described the intense security precautions he has to live with.
'I've got bulletproof windows front and back,' he said.
'I've got a bulletproof door. I've got cameras all around the house. I've got sensor activated lights and panic alarms.'
These security measures are paid for by employers, as journalists are currently ineligible for the government's Home Protection Scheme.
Amnesty noted that with journalists excluded from the scheme, many have been left feeling at risk.
National Union of Journalists assistant general secretary Séamus Dooley said: 'In what is supposed to be a normalised society, post the peace process, journalists are living in fear and behind high security measures. That really is not the sign of a normal functioning democracy.'
Amnesty's research for the report titled, 'Occupational Hazard? Threats and violence against journalists in Northern Ireland' uncovered more than 70 incidents of threats or attacks since the start of 2019.
Most come from a range of proscribed paramilitary groups, loyalist and republican, as well as organised crime groups, some also with links to paramilitaries.
Amnesty International released the report which details experiences of journalists in Northern Ireland (Kevin Scott/Belfast Telegraph)
News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025
Very few threats lead to criminal charges, with only two successful prosecutions since June 2022 — and none involving paramilitary groups.
Amnesty's Patrick Corrigan said: 'When journalists are under attack, press freedom is under attack. The state must create a safe environment where journalists can work freely and report without fear of reprisals.'
Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson, the PSNI lead for journalist safety, said the force will take time to consider Amnesty's report.
'The PSNI takes the safety of journalists very seriously and has been very much involved in developing both national and local plans to tackle this issue over the last couple of years,' he said.
'As a result, we have developed a joint strategy and joint plan with NUJ and with local editors. We have appointed two Journalist Safety Officers, established an internal Journalist Safety Group, implemented screening arrangements within our contact management centre and ensured that reports of threats and crimes by journalists are investigated by detectives.
'The Police Service has also arranged a number online seminars for local media around internet and personal safety.
'Journalists do not have to tolerate threats and crimes as part of their role. That has been our recent, consistent message. If any journalist needs advice in relation to an incident, threat or crime which is connected to your role as a journalist, please contact 101 and report the matter.
'I would also encourage journalists to speak with one of the Journalist Safety Officers in our Strategic Communications and Engagement Department."
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