A major journalism conference in Belfast is to tackle the topic of press freedom.

The National Union of Journalists, which is organising the event, claims the Government's attack on BBC journalism was just one of the pressures in independent journalism.

The situation is more intense in Northern Ireland, where several journalists live and work under constant death threats, and others have faced police raids.

Speakers at the event on Saturday include Austin Hunter, head of communications at the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Michael Lavery and journalist Bill Goodwin, who took a groundbreaking case on journalists' sources to the European court.

Also speaking will be Sunday Tribune writer Susan McKay, former BBC political correspondent Nick Jones and experts on human rights.

The initiative for the event came from the union's Ethics Council, which was concerned at the number of press freedom issues arising from Northern Ireland.

The discussion will focus in particular on the importance of protecting confidential sources.

The conference is takes place in the Lanyon Building at Queen's University 11am and 4.30pm.

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