Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she (a) has held recent and (b) plans to hold discussions with police forces on (i) the recent arrest of journalists covering protests and (ii) the role of the media in a democracy.

The management of demonstrations is an operational matter for the police.

The Government recognises that the challenges of policing protests means that they often need to make quick decisions, including to maintain public safety and prevent disruption.

However, the Government is equally clear that the role of members of the press must be respected. It is vital that journalists are able to do their job freely without restriction. Police training and Authorised Professional Practice covers appropriate interaction between police and members of the media.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has confirmed in a press statement that additional measures are now in place to ensure that media are able to do their job following concern over the recent arrests. The force has also requested an independent force to examine its approach to these arrests and to identify any learning. This can be found through the link below:

https://www.herts.police.uk/news/hertfordshire/news/2022/november/statement-regarding-arrests-of-journalists--9-november/