THE National Union of Journalists and private investigators in Ireland have expressed concern at the recommendation by the Law Reform Commission of a new law to protect against invasion of privacy and surreptitious surveillance or bugging.
Mr Eoin Ronayne, Irish national secretary of the NUJ, said he was concerned such a law might lead to restrictions on reporters working on stories. The privacy of individuals had to be balanced against the right to freedom of expression.
He pointed out that journalists already work to a formal code of ethics and that no complaints of invasion of privacy by Irish journalists had been made.
"The way forward is not by bringing in a law but by getting the newspaper owners and journalists to bring in a voluntary code of conduct which could be based on the existing NUJ code," he said.
"Already there is a draconian climate in terms of libel and the last thing needed is a law which would further restrict reporters.
What happens where a journalist is involved in the investigation of criminal activity or during a time of political upheaval?"
Mr Ronayne said the suggestion that there would be a legal defence for a reporter against charges of unlawful intrusion would prove unworkable.
Mr Liam Brady, president of the European Federation of Professional Investigators, described the proposed law as "farcical".
"I am astonished and shocked by what the report suggests. It would give a licence to criminals, to child abusers and to those involved in insurance fraud to continue their criminal ways. Everyone will lose out.
"If an investigator cannot video a person who is making a fraudulent insurance claim playing football or in some other activity he is going to receive a settlement from the insurance company which will cost everyone who is taking out insurance."
Mr Brady said journalists and investigators were responsible for exposing many major criminals and must be allowed continue this work.