The RUC is to go to court in an attempt to obtain TV film and newspaper pictures of riots in Belfast last month.
Thirteen writs have been served on broadcasters and publishers under the Terrorism Act 2000, post-Omagh bomb legislation which gave the RUC wide-ranging powers to seek film and pictures, including material not transmitted or published. The media oppose the RUC's application, which is due to be heard on August 17th.
The principal ground is the danger to cameramen if the media are seen to be an arm of the prosecution process. It is also understood the media's lawyers will argue that a court order is unnecessary as the RUC is already in possession of all that has been transmitted or published and that police cameramen videoed the riots from start to finish.