Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she is taking steps to strengthen protections for journalists and media organisations in the UK against threats from foreign states.

The Government's top priority is our national security, and we will use all the tools at our disposal to protect the UK, and its people, from state threats.  Any attempt by a foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK will not be tolerated, and will be thoroughly investigated.

The Home Office works closely with other government departments as well as relevant agencies and law enforcement to protect people identified as being at risk. The National Security Act 2023 provides the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to deter, detect, and disrupt modern-day state threats. The National Protective Security Authority and Counter Terrorism Policing will continue to provide protective security advice and support to individuals and organisations threatened by states.

It is vital that journalists are able to continue their jobs without the fear of attack or threat. A free and robust media is essential - for national security, for human rights, and for democratic governance. That is why we remain an important member of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), which we co-founded in 2019.

Anyone who thinks they might be a victim should report incidents or suspicious activity to the Police via 101, a local police station, or 999 in emergencies.