National security bill may have ‘chilling effect’ on investigative journalism in UK

Guy Black, deputy chair of Telegraph newspapers, says draft legislation sets too low a bar on what constitutes spying

The UK's proposed national security bill could have a chilling effect" on investigative journalism because it sets too low a bar on what constitutes spying, the deputy chair of the Telegraph newspapers has warned.

Guy Black told the House of Lords that he was concerned the draft legislation could potentially criminalise" reporters and whistleblowers because it says simply that a crime is committed if it may materially assist a foreign intelligence service".