The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned actions by the New Zealand police against news organisations over the teapot tapes, warning it could be interpreted as an attempt to suppress media freedom.
Police have demanded some media hand over material and say they will search four media outlets after Prime Minister John Key laid a complaint about what he says was an illegal recording of a conversation he had with Act's Epsom candidate John Banks in a Newmarket cafe last Friday.
Jacqueline Park, Asia-Pacific director of the IFJ, said police demands on media outlets were "alarming''.
"While there are ethical questions about how the recording was made, the police clampdown on news media organisations just nine days before New Zealand's general election is alarming.''
Park said police action could "be interpreted as an attempt to suppress media freedom''.
The IFJ "supports journalists at Radio New Zealand and other news media organisations for upholding their ethical obligation to protect confidential sources and responsibility to gather and report news in the public interest''.
- Herald Online