PRESS AND POLICE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 4, 6 January 1930, Page 9

PRESS AND POLICE

PRINCIPLE UPHELD IDENTITY OF INFORMANTS KEPT CONFIDENTIAL "nited Press Association—By Electric TeleBrapn—Copyright. ' (Received 6th January, 1 p.m.) CAPE TOWN, sth January. Tho "Band Daily Mail" described tho drawing of a lottery in a Johannesburg hotel a few weeks ago. The Minister of Justice. ordered an inquiry under tho Police Administration Act, of which the editor and reporter of the "Mail" were summoned to give evidence. The Magistrate held tho inquiry in camera. The reporter admitted authorship, but refused to disclose the names o? those present or the hotel where the lottery was drawn. Ho was warned that his refusal involved contempt, for which tho penalty was eight days in gaol. To-day tho reporter persisted in his attitude, his solicitor arguing that tho whole system of journalism would be undermined if tho police could insist on journalists revealing the sources of information given confidentially. The inquiry was adjourned to Wednesday. The Minister of Justice states that the law must take its course. The annual congress of journalists at Bloemfontein pledged moral and financial support in defence of a great, principle. ■;