Guardian journalist questioned over alleged phone-hacking leaks

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Case raises concerns about attempts to criminalise contact between journalists and off-the-record sources A Guardian journalist has been questioned by police officers investigating alleged leaks of information from Operation Weeting, the police team pursuing phone hacking at the News of the World. Amelia Hill, a reporter behind several of the Guardian’s key phone-hacking revelations , was questioned under caution several days ago in a case that has raised concerns about attempts to criminalise contact between journalists and off-the-record sources. A spokesperson for the Guardian said in a statement: “We can confirm Amelia Hill has been questioned in connection with an investigation into alleged leaks.” Hill is one of several journalists at the Guardian who have been writing about developments in the phone-hacking scandal. The newspaper argued that the case could have lasting repercussions for the way journalists deal with police officers. The statement added: “On a broader point, journalists would no doubt be concerned if the police sought to criminalise conversations between off-record sources and reporters.” Two separate internal inquiries began this month examining whether police officers should be prevented freely from speaking to the media, as the Met tries to contend with allegations that officers were embroiled in close or even corrupt relationships with the News of the World. Emails from News International allegedly imply that journalists on the paper bought copies of Buckingham Palace’s private phone directory from a royal protection officer. An inquiry by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary is examining “alleged corruption and abuse of power” in police relationships with the media, while Elizabeth Filkin, the former parliamentary commissioner for standards, intends to draw up a framework for how police officers handle their relationships with reporters. The inquiries are both considering whether communication between police officers should be officially monitored and recorded by a press officer. Three years ago, a case against Sally Murrer, a reporter on the Milton Keynes Citizen, and a former Thames Valley police detective Mark Kearney was thrown out. Kearney had been accused of leaking information to her. Phone hacking News of the World Newspapers & magazines National newspapers Newspapers The Guardian Dan Sabbagh guardian.co.uk

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Posted by on September 7, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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