The National Security Bill supported by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel includes a provision that would make it an offense for any reporter or news agency that receives foreign funding in some manner, to disclose leaked information that would prejudice the “safety or interests” of the UK, as determined entirely by the government itself, reports Declassified UK. This is seen as going even beyond the 1911 Official Secrets Act, which criminalizes obtaining or communicating information that is or might be useful “to an enemy.”
Now even a reporter working for a press agency or NGO financed by a friendly country would be committing a criminal act in reporting on leaked information that goes against the “interests” of the UK.
A public interest defense would not be applicable.
