The union has called on officers policing the camp, which has been established near Kingsnorth power station in Kent, to stop the harassment of journalists whilst going about their lawful work.

Police officers are understood to have been searching journalists, who were carrying press cards identifying them as members of the media, both going in and out of the Climate Camp.

NUJ members have reported pushing and shoving during the searches. A number of photojournalists have also today complained that they have been harassed through police surveillance whilst filing their photos over wifi from a nearby McDonalds.

Commenting on the news, NUJ General Secretary, Jeremy Dear, said: “The police must recognise that journalists have a job to do and allow them to go about their business. There are clear guidelines laying out how the police should deal with the media, and we expect these guidelines to be adhered to.”

NUJ Legal Officer Roy Mincoff added: “We are looking into various legal avenues to challenge this unwarranted conduct by the police. It is simply unacceptable for members of the press to be obstructed in their work in this way.”

8 August 2008