The prosecution of journalists is the hallmark of ‘ oppressive regimes ’ such as Russia and Egypt , which try to crush free speech and a free Press , the Old Bailey heard yesterday . The claim was made by Trevor Burke , QC , in his closing speech on behalf of Sun chief reporter John Kay , who is accused of paying a Ministry of Defence official for stories . Mr Burke described Kay , 71 , as a ‘ legend of Fleet Street ’ who is being prosecuted ‘ for simply doing his job ’ . The prosecution of journalists is the hallmark of ‘ oppressive regimes ’ such as Russia and Egypt , which try to crush free speech and a free Press , the Old Bailey ( pictured ) heard yesterday . His articles revealed bullying , crime and sexual assault within the military , the jury was told . His QC said : ‘ Please recognise how disturbing a development it is that journalists that only report the news accurately , honestly and fearlessly now face being prosecuted in our criminal courts . ‘ From John Kay ’ s perspective that is exactly what ’ s happening right here. ’ Mr Burke told jurors they would be ‘ all too familiar with journalists being silenced by courts ’ and spoke of oppressive regimes such as Russia and Egypt that sought to crush a free Press and free speech . ‘ You might be aware of events in Moscow over the weekend , where a free Press has long ceased to exist , ’ he said . ‘ It never did in China . ‘ And we have seen in recent years protests – people demanding a fraction of the rights we enjoy here , which include but are not restricted to a free Press. ’ Mr Burke said the jury would have to rule on public interest . ‘ It is the very basic function of a journalist in a free society to report the news without fear or favour , ’ he said . ‘ To expose hypocrisy and to reveal the truth. ’ Mr Burke told the jury how the Press had exposed child sex abuse in Rotherham as well as the MPs ’ expenses scandal . The public official who leaked the documents revealing the expenses story has not been prosecuted , the court heard . ‘ Nobody could ever conceivably justify a prosecution of the official because of the overwhelming public interest , ’ Mr Burke said . ‘ Paying an official can be trumped by a public interest defence. ’ Mr Burke said Kay saw it as his ‘ fundamental duty to hold the powerful to account and to speak for those who have no voice ’ . ‘ He saw it as his role to expose , to correct , to reveal the very truth , ’ he said . ‘ If John Kay and his profession do not do it on your behalf who will ? ’ The trial has heard that MoD official Bettina Jordan-Barber , 42 , was paid £100,000 by the Sun while working as a strategy officer who briefed the Defence Secretary and that Kay knew she was a public official . Mr Burke described the sum paid to Jordan-Barber as ‘ compensation ’ for the risk she ran in losing her job if her bosses found out she was leaking information to the Press . ‘ The public interest was part of her motivation , ’ he added . Also on trial is Sun royal correspondent Duncan Larcombe , 39 , who is accused of paying ex-Sandhurst colour sergeant John Hardy , 44 , for details about the Army base where Prince Harry trained . Hardy funnelled some of the 34 payments totalling £23,000 through his 41-year-old wife Claire , the court has heard . Sun executive editor Fergus Shanahan , 60 , is accused of plotting to pay a public official for stories and deputy editor Geoff Webster , 55 , is accused of authorising payments worth thousands of pounds to public officials in return for information . All four Sun journalists deny charges of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office . Hardy , of Accrington , Lancashire , denies misconduct in public office . His wife Claire denies aiding and abetting misconduct in public office . The trial continues . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article .
Claim made by Trevor Burke QC in his closing speech at the Old Bailey . Trevor Burke QC made claim on behalf of Sun chief reporter described as a 'legend of Fleet Street ' John Kay , 71 , is accused of paying a Ministry of Defence official for stories .