3 CHEERS

For the Metropolitan Police which sensibly withdrew the charges made against a Guardian newspaper journalist who had refused to hand over documents that might have revealed the source of her reports on the phone-hacking scandal. The case demonstrated the necessity for journalists to be able to safeguard their sources if a free press and free expression are to survive. The protests at the Met's initial action ranged from the Guardian itself, to The Times and several tabloid newspapers -- and also a modest protest from The Bulletin.