According to a report commissioned by the Northern Ireland Policing Board, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has made 323 applications for communications data related to journalists since 2011. The report, issued by Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, also stated that 10 of these applications specifically aimed to identify journalists’ confidential sources between 2021 and March 2024.
Furthermore, the report revealed that there were 500 applications for communications data for lawyers who were involved as victims, suspects, or witnesses in crimes. Additionally, the PSNI authorized four Covert Human Intelligence Sources to provide intelligence on journalists and lawyers.
Despite concerns over the use of covert powers against journalists and lawyers, the report assured that the police were only seeking relevant information and not solely targeting journalists or lawyers. The report also mentioned that the PSNI had discontinued a monitoring process in which police phone logs were checked for contact with journalists due to limited effectiveness.
In response to the report, human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and the Committee on the Administration of Justice expressed concern over the extent of surveillance on journalists and lawyers. However, PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Chris Todd maintained that the concerns about widespread and unjustified surveillance were misplaced and that the report was published to provide reassurance to the public and stakeholders. An independent review by special advocate Angus McCullough has also been commissioned to further investigate police surveillance of journalists, lawyers, and civil society groups.