MINISTERS have formally vowed never to use controversial new spy laws to lock up journalists.
The climbdown came as peers debated the National Security Bill that risked jailing reporters for assisting foreign spooks — even by accident.
Ministers will not use the controversial spy law to jail journalists
Home Office Minister Lord Sharpe pledged the Government would not go after newspapers and TV for revelations that may “incidentally be capable of assisting a foreign intelligence service”.
He said: “The Government may profoundly disagree with the conclusions of some journalists, but we will not hide behind the criminal law to suppress legitimate competing views.”
He added: “We would expect prosecutions to involve those with known links to foreign intelligence services, including evidence of a relationship, tasking or payment.
“Absent these links, the Government struggles to envisage even the most provocative piece of journalism meeting the threshold for offence.”
Media firms and journalist unions had warned the new law could have a “chilling effect” on reporting.
Last night, trade body the News Media Association said: “We welcome the Government’s reassurances.”
