THE PSNI IS taking a death threat issued against a Belfast-based journalist seriously, according to the National Union of Journalists.

The loyalist death threat has been condemned by the union, which has appealed to politicians and others who may have influence with the Ulster Defence Association to have the threat withdrawn. 

Irish secretary Seamus Dooley said, “This represents the latest threat to this journalist and is part of a sinister campaign which must be condemned.”

A free press is the cornerstone of a democratic society and peace cannot be said to exist when journalists are faced with death threats.

NUJ General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet said journalists would not be intimidated by such threats and must be allowed to carry out their work without the threat of violence from any quarter.

The PSNI said it does not comment on matters of security of individual persons but said that if it received information about a threat to somebody’s life, they would be informed accordingly.

The name of the NUJ member has not been released.