National Union of Journalists general secretary Jeremy Dear has hit out at those who show a lack of tolerance for press freedoms in a tough speech at the union’s annual delegate meeting.

In one of 14 speeches he made during the four-day Belfast event, he said: “Journalism is facing grave threats in an age of intolerance.

“Whilst on the streets dissent is being criminalised, independent journalism is being increasingly caught in the civil liberties clampdown.”

Jeremy highlighted the problems faced by journalists in their dealings with the police, including the difficulties of photographers who are often obstructed in their work by officers who don’t understand the rules around media freedom.

He also announced major financial backing for a legal case which will allow journalist Shiv Malik to appeal a court order that requires him to handover various research materials to the police.

The NUJ believes that this court order could fundamentally undermine the ability of journalists, particularly investigative journalists, to do their work.