[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Index on Censorship condemns Ian Paisely MP’s attack on News Letter journalist Sam McBride and calls on parliamentarians to uphold and support the tenets of media freedom.

“Everyone has the right to disagree with a journalist’s analysis, but attacks on a journalist’s character and on their family are completely unacceptable”, said Jessica Ní Mhainín, policy research and advocacy officer at Index on Censorship. “Elected representatives like Mr Paisely, should know that such attacks can undermine media freedom, which is essential to our democracy.”

“We have filed an alert with the Council of Europe’s Platform to promote the protection of journalism. We call on all public representatives to support in the creation of a safe and enabling environment for journalists to work without fear of attacks, intimidation or interference.”[/vc_column_text][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”4″ element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1568729859706-eab009cf-e0c8-6″ taxonomies=”6534″][/vc_column][/vc_row]