A NEW law to tackle crime overseas could jeopardise reporters in Britain, journalists’ union the NUJ warned today.

The Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill will be debated in Parliament tomorrow, despite “repeated warnings” from the media union about the “dangers” it poses to press freedom. 

They say that the Bill could allow foreign governments to demand access to information stored in Britain, such as journalists’ electronic communications.

Reporters who have fled repressive regimes and now live in exile in Britain would be particularly vulnerable, the union warned.

NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: “This Conservative government has repeatedly demonstrated its contempt for journalism and disregard for press freedom, relentlessly introducing new laws and powers that undermine and compromise the ability of journalists to carry out their work with integrity and in safety. 

“This government has sought to restrict existing freedom of information law, introduced draconian surveillance legislation, tried to make it easier to prosecute journalists by reforming the Official Secrets Act and now it’s pushing legislation that disregards the few legal protections there are for journalistic material and sources.”