Journalism and Legal Profession: Surveillance
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department has issued to police forces on the use of surveillance powers to carry out surveillance on journalists and lawyers.
Answered by Dame Diana Johnson
Powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA) contain additional safeguards and protections, where the intention is for relevant public authorities to acquire sensitive material, such as information relating to confidential journalistic material, journalists' sources and matters subject to legal professional privilege. Further specific detail is set out in the statutory codes of practice pursuant to the powers under these Acts.
The Investigatory Powers Commissioner provides oversight of the use of investigatory powers and publishes annual reports which provide statistical information relating to the operation of powers.
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