2020-08-26
The press freedom changes recommended by the Parliament’s Intelligence Committee do not go far enough to protect journalists, the Greens say.
Chair of the Senate’s Inquiry into Press Freedoms, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
"The Parliament's secret Intelligence and Security Committee has failed to protect journalists, democracy and the public's right to know what the government is doing in their name.
“Journalism remains a crime and journalists can still be jailed under this proposal.
“Journalists should not be charged for doing their jobs full stop. They should not have their homes raided. They should not be intimidated or threatened. They should not be attacked by the government for reporting what is in the public interest.
“A secret process concocted by a secret committee doing the bidding of a secretive government will not protect the public’s right to know. We need a Media Freedom Act to protect public interest journalism and the rights of journalists to do their jobs without fear or favour."
On Monday the Press Freedom Inquiry chaired by Senator Hanson-Young will hold an open hearing and will question the AFP, Attorney-General’s Department, Department of Home Affairs and MEAA over these recommendations.