Suzanne Breen facts for kids

Suzanne Breen (born 1967) is an Irish journalist. She is known for her work reporting on important events and for standing up for journalists' rights.

Suzanne Breen's Career Journey

Suzanne Breen studied English and Politics at Queen’s University Belfast, graduating in 1989. After that, she took a special course to learn about newspaper journalism.

Early Journalism Roles

She started her career at the Irish News. In 1992, she joined the Belfast office of the Irish Times. There, she worked in different roles, eventually becoming a Senior Northern Correspondent. This meant she was a main reporter covering news from Northern Ireland.

Working as an Editor and Political Editor

Later, Suzanne became the Northern Ireland editor for the Sunday Tribune newspaper. In 2017, she moved to the Belfast Telegraph as their Political Editor. This role means she writes about politics and government. She has also written for other magazines like Village Magazine, Fortnight, and Magill.

Protecting Journalists' Sources

One important part of Suzanne Breen's career involved a legal case about protecting her sources. Journalists often rely on people who give them information, and sometimes these sources need to remain secret to protect them.

The Legal Challenge

In 2009, Suzanne was contacted by a group that claimed responsibility for a shooting incident and admitted to another serious event. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) later asked her to share details about her sources. However, Suzanne refused to do so.

Standing Up for Press Freedom

She believed that revealing her sources could put her and her family in danger. She was supported by the National Union of Journalists and the Sunday Tribune newspaper. This case was very important because it highlighted the right of journalists to keep their sources confidential.

Court Decision

Initially, a judge thought about making her hand over the information. But in June 2009, the High Court in Belfast made a decision in her favor. The court ruled that she did not have to give her notes to the police. This decision was a big win for press freedom and the ability of journalists to protect the people who give them information.

Awards and Recognition

Suzanne Breen has received several awards for her excellent journalism.

• Northern Ireland Journalist of the Year (1994)
• Northern Ireland Feature Journalist of the Year (1995, 1996, 1997, 2010, 2016)
• Outstanding journalism by women on the island of Ireland (1999)