Freedom of the press will be enshrined in a bill of rights that will include legal protection for journalists - if the Tories win next year's general election.
That pledge will be made today by Sajid Javid, the culture secretary, in a speech to the Society of Editors.
He is expected to say that a Conservative government will replace the human rights act (HRA) with a bill of rights and responsibilities in which British judges would be "the ultimate arbiters of British justice."
Javid believes the HRA and the European court of human rights "have not done enough to protect journalists who play such a unique role in our society. Our British bill of rights will change that."
The minister will promise to hold consultations on the specific measures to be included in the bill. These are expected to include a legal right for journalists to protect their sources as well as a broad public interest defence.
The Conservatives evidently plan to publish a draft bill towards the end of the year.
Sources: Daily Mail/Daily Telegraph
