Press freedom reform and a evaluate of nationwide secrecy legal guidelines would be the focus when federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus meets with news companies and unions.
The roundtable, held at Parliament House on Monday, is a part of the federal government’s dedication to enhancing protections for journalists, Mr Dreyfus stated.
“I’m looking forward to a full and frank discussion about press freedom issues in Australia and further options for reform,” he stated in a press release.
“A strong and independent media matters. Journalists should never face the prospect of being charged or even jailed just for doing their jobs.”
Mr Dreyfus stated the roundtable would deal with whether or not secrecy offences have been gagging public curiosity journalism.
He flagged particular whistleblower and press freedom reforms this 12 months after the National Anti-corruption Commission laws handed on the finish of 2022.
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance has welcomed the talks, describing it as an necessary first step in direction of substantive reforms.
“There is a long shopping list of changes that are needed to protect the critical role of journalism in our democracy,” MEAA federal media president Karen Percy stated in a press release.
“The steady creep of national security laws into so many facets of journalists’ work is a dangerous threat to press freedom, as is the lack of transparency around journalist information warrants.”
The MEAA can also be calling for elevated protections for sources and whistleblowers.
“Whistleblowers who play such an important role in working with journalists to expose abuses of power and corruption should be entitled to protections,” Ms Percy stated.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
