Amnesty International and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) have condemned a death threat against an unnamed Belfast journalist.

The NUJ said the threat was made by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) in connection with the journalist’s “reporting on criminal activities associated with that paramilitary organisation”.

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty’s Northern Ireland programme director, said: “Amnesty International condemns this reported death threat against a journalist and calls for the threat to be lifted immediately. Such threats are not merely an attack on one journalist, they are an attack on the freedom of the press in Northern Ireland.

“All over the world, journalists are arrested, threatened and killed for working in the frontline of defending freedom of expression.

“Guaranteeing freedom of expression must be a cornerstone of Northern Ireland as a peaceful and just society.”

NUJ Irish secretary Seamus Dooley added: “We understand this is a credible threat of violence, confirmed by the PSNI, and are therefore concerned for the safety of the journalist and those close to him.

“Journalists must be allowed to carry out their work without fear of intimidation or the threat of violence.

“We urge those in positions of influence within the UDA to use their good offices to have the threat withdrawn. The NUJ has offered support and assistance to the journalist under threat and will always support members placed under threat.”