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Six Fairfax Media editors and a reporter have been rapped over the knuckles for their coverage of the Operation Eight terrorism investigation last year.
Police arrested 17 people in raids around the country in October alleging their involvement in terrorist operations.
Solicitor-General David Collins has since declined to authorise prosecutions under the Terrorism Suppression Act. Charges remain under the Arms Act.
In what is believed to be a legal first, a police investigation found that the seven journalists had a case to answer over an alleged breach of Section 312K of the Crimes Act. The section limits publication of information gathered using an interception warrant.
The Fairfax reports drew on information from a police affidavit used in their investigation of activities they alleged involved terrorism.
In a letter sent to Fairfax Media's lawyers, Detective Superintendent Andrew Lovelock, acting on behalf of police commissioner Howard Broad, said he believed there was prima facie evidence to demonstrate that the journalists had contravened the Crimes Act 1961 - an offence punishable by a maximum fine of $500.
However, Mr Lovelock said "that these matters are finely balanced and on that basis I am persuaded that to issue a formal warning is the appropriate course to take".
Fairfax Media chief executive Joan Withers said she was pleased with the police decision.
In separate legal action, Fairfax Media and Tim Pankhurst, editor of The Dominion Post, are being prosecuted for criminal contempt of court following their publication of parts of the affidavit.
The case will be heard in the High Court in September and both Fairfax Media and Tim Pankhurst are defending the charges.
- NZPA
