A proposed UK national security law has sparked warnings from legal experts, journalists and humanitarian organisations, who say it could criminalise routine reporting, aid work and engagement with foreign groups. The National Security (State Threats) Bill, introduced by the government, is currently being fast-tracked through Parliament.
The legislation would give the home secretary the power to designate foreign organisations as ‘state threat’ entities without parliamentary approval. It would also create new offences carrying prison sentences of up to 14 years for supporting, assisting or obtaining information from designated groups, with only limited legal defences available.
The bill's broad wording could expose journalists to prosecution for contacting sources linked to designated organisations, while humanitarian groups warn it could criminalise aid workers who must engage with authorities controlling conflict zones to deliver assistance.
Both current and former independent reviewers of UK terrorism legislation have expressed concern about the bill's impact on press freedom, calling for stronger protections for journalists and a broader ‘reasonable excuse’ defence to prevent legitimate reporting and humanitarian work from being caught by the law.
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