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case raises concerns about the attempt to criminalize contact between journalists and sources off the record

A Guardian journalist has been questioned by police investigating alleged leaks of information of the operation Weeting, piracy police phone hunting in the New World.

Amelia Hill, a journalist behind several of the Guards chief revelations of phone hacking, was questioned under caution last week in a case that has expressed concern about attempts to criminalize contact between Journalists and off the record, according to sources.

A spokesman for The Guardian, said in a statement. "We can confirm Amelia Hill was questioned in connection with an investigation into alleged leaks" Hill is one of several journalists who were the Guardian writes about events in the phone-hacking scandal.

The paper argues that the case could have long term implications for journalists out of the way the police. The statement added: "In a broader perspective, journalists, no doubt, be affected, the police tried to criminalize discussions among the sources of information outside the record and the journalists."

The National Union of Journalists (UNP) General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet said. "No newspaper is a vital principle at stake here is outrageous that charges off the record briefing from home treated as a criminal matter.

"There is a clear distinction between legitimate interviews off-the-record and payment of illegal bribes," he said. "In this case, the burden is more than a detective Scotland Yard is a source off-the-record ".

two independent internal investigations began this month looks at whether the police must be prevented from free to speak to the media, as the Met comes to dealing with allegations that officers were involved in a close relationship or corruption of the new world. E-mails allegedly implies that the international news media on paper purchased copies of the private telephone of Buckingham Palace is a royal protection officer.

an investigation by the Inspector General of police studies' alleged corruption and abuse of power "in the media relations of the police, while Elizabeth Filkin, former Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards , intends to develop a framework for managing the way the police of their media relations.

Stanistreet added: "Good journalism depends on the sources off the record, journalists and our sources are sacred not want to live in a society where the only information the police officer allowed. line by the Commissioner or an official press release.
"Any threat to the protection of sources is a direct threat to the citizens' right to know absolutely and not the public interest. "