MARK DREYFUS MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
MICHELLE ROWLAND MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS
MEMBER FOR GREENWAY
MEDIA FREEDOM – LITTLE HAS CHANGED
Evidence to today’s Senate Inquiry into media freedom has made clear that 14 months after police raids on the homes and offices of Australian journalists, little has changed.
Since we appeared before this committee, I think in October last year, I think our position is a lot has happened, and very little has changed.
Campbell Reid, News Corp Group Executive, 12 August 2020
Despite the very welcome decision to abandon the prosecutions of Annika Smethurst and Sam Clark, journalists in Australia can still be prosecuted for doing their jobs, and at least one – Dan Oakes – still faces the very real threat of being charged and sent to prison.
Dan’s fate still remains uncertain, the spectre of criminal charges still hanging over his head – for the “crime” of doing journalism and revealing information that we believe the public has a right to know.
Gaven Morris, ABC Director News, 12 August 2020
The extraordinary police raids of Annika Smethurst’s home and the ABC Headquarters 14 months ago came with the personal blessing of the Prime Minister who said he was untroubled by the extraordinary assault on press freedom. The Prime Minister has never recanted from that position – despite the High Court finding that the warrant authorising the raid on Annika Smethurst’s home was itself unlawful.
And as Mr Reid made clear, the fact that it took the High Court to finally put an end to the prosecution of Ms Smethurst was not evidence of a system that works.
Our view is it's evidence of a system that is broken. You don't go to the High Court unless something has gone wrong and the Court's findings in that matter, I think, raised in absolute capital letters what is wrong with the current system of execution and issuing of warrants to investigate journalists.
Campbell Reid, News Corp Group Executive, 12 August 2020
It has now been over two years since the Government asked the AFP to investigate the unauthorised disclosure of information to Annika Smethurst. It’s been three years since the investigation commenced into the ABC over the Afghan papers.
Both of these stories were undoubtedly in the public interest and all those involved should be applauded for their commitment to informing the public, not threatened with prosecution and jail.
Unlike the Morrison Government, Labor believes in freedom of the press and the public’s right to know.
Labor believes journalists should never face the prospect of being charged, or even jailed, just for doing their jobs.
Law enforcement agencies should never be raiding journalists just because they are embarrassing the government.
The Morrison Government can no longer hide behind these legal proceedings, and must now commit to reform of the law that properly protects freedom of the press that addresses the concerns of the Australia’s Right to Know coalition
A strong and independent media is vital to holding governments to account and to informing the Australian public. Labor will continue to fight to defend and to strengthen press freedom and the public’s right to know.
WEDNESDAY, 12 AUGUST 2020
