Media

Reporters Without Borders accuse Sinn Féin of creating ‘chilling effect’ among Irish journalists

In a joint letter to Mary Lou McDonald, RSF said that ‘the law should not be used as the first line of defense’ for those seeking to defend their good name

Mary Lou McDonald: Sinn Féin leader has denied her party is attempting to “stranglehold democracy”. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) have accused Sinn Féin of creating a “chilling effect” among Irish journalists following recent legal action taken by a party member against the Irish Times and an individual journalist.

In a joint letter addressed to Mary Lou McDonald, the Sinn Féin leader, 14 international and domestic organisations advocating press freedom acknowledged that “everyone has the right to defend their good name” but added that ...