Journalists at two newspapers threatened by paramilitaries

The PSNI is taking the threat seriously and officers have been in contact with the journalists. Credit: UTV

Loyalist paramilitaries have issued threats against journalists working for two Belfast-based newspapers, the owners have said.

A number of reporters working for the Sunday Life and Sunday World were visited by police officers in the early hours of Friday morning with warnings ofimminent attacks by the South East Antrim UDA.

At least one journalist was told of a planned under-car booby trap attack andthe warnings also said journalists at the two Sunday titles - both owned byIndependent News and Media (INM) - were at risk of attack.

The development comes just weeks after the first anniversary of the New IRA murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry.

The PSNI is taking the threat seriously and officers have been in contact withthe journalists.

Police have confirmed they are in receipt of information that indicates aplanned and co-ordinated campaign of intimidation.

Peter Vandermeersch, publisher at INM, said: "We will, of course, work withthe police to ensure our staff's safety.

"Threats against journalists should not be tolerated in any free society.

"Today marks the 75th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany and animportant element in that victory was ensuring freedom of speech for subsequent generations.

"It is depressing that thugs still believe they can silence the press throughintimidation.

"The Sunday World and Sunday Life will continue to publish stories that shed light in dark corners."

Seamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general secretary, said: "This is a vile attempt to intimidate editors, journalists and publishers.

"It is the latest in a series of threats in Northern Ireland againstjournalists but is all the more sinister because it is a blanket threat againsttwo newspapers, titles which have served the people of Northern Irelandfearlessly and often in the face of threats.

"The NUJ, and through us the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ),extends support and solidarity to all journalists employed by the group, forwhom this is a distressing time.

In 2001 Sunday World reporter Martin O'Hagan was murdered by the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) paramilitaries.

The loyalist group targeted the journalist as he walked home with his wife.

No one has ever been convicted of his murder.