There is a fairly important protest occurring today in Australia, and I wanted to highlight it and look at what is going on. Free speech is under attack in Australia, and news organisations from around the country have initiated a protest against government actions, and a call for journalistic protection. Mainstream media in Australia is being silenced - and it is interesting to see normally highly competitive media organisations united against the government. Here is a selection of articles from a variety of sources.
News Corporations's article with a short intro video
The straw that broke the camel’s back were the raids on News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst (who now faces possible criminal charges, ironically because she reported the government was considering new powers to spy on all of us) and an unrelated raid on the ABC headquarters after a report detailing incidents of Australian special forces troops killing men and children in Afghanistan.
The normally pro-government, right leaning News Corp is front and center in this protest, and their Executive Chairman had this to say:
It’s serious for all Australians, not just for media, but it’s our job to actually serve our communities,” News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller said.
The Sydney Morning Herald article - "A Culture of Secrecy"
This is an in-depth look at the issue, and covers a number of instances where investigative journalism has been impacted and whistle-blowers severely dealt with. Tellingly, it looks at how Australia compares with similar nations:
Australia’s protections for press freedom are weaker than other Western democracies. The United States constitution enshrines free speech and a free press. In Britain, human rights legislation explicitly protects freedom of expression. Both countries also have stronger protections for journalists facing defamation actions. Australia has no strong legal protections for journalism and free expression, making it unique among comparable countries. The defences available in defamation law are also considered to be weak and complex, with Australia attracting a reputation as the defamation capital of the world.
The SMH is part of Fairfax media, traditionally an independent, center-left organisation with a fierce rivalry with News Corp. It recently was acquired by Nine Media, owners of the Channel Nine free-to-air TV network.
ABC article
In this article, the ABC is reporting the protest. It isn't an editorial piece, but it does note that the ABC is part of the coalition initiating this action:
The Right To Know coalition, of which the ABC is a member, is behind the campaign, calling for the decriminalisation of public interest journalism, and greater protection for the media and whistle-blowers.
The ABC is the Government owned Public Broadcaster, and has traditionally been accused of Left-wing bias and favouring Australia's Labor Party over the Conservatives (the current government).
My thoughts:
Freedom of the press is a fundamental necessity for democracy. We need checks and balances on government's, regardless of their nature. You know that there is a problem when even the mainstream media is protesting and claiming the government is being too secretive.
What are they trying to hide? Why are whistle-blowers being persecuted and treated like criminals. The police state is seeming to increase its tentacles (under the disguise of "National Security") and our freedom and liberties are under threat.
What "The Right to Know" coalition wants:
- Rights to contest applications for search warrants issued on Journalists and Media outlets.
- Improved "Whistleblower" protections.
- A new system for limiting the amount of documents that can be marked "Secret"
- Improvements to "Freedom of Information" laws.
- Exemptions for Journalists from recent "National Security" laws.
- Reforms to Defamation laws.
Source: CBAA Media release
Australia's freedom of speech and freedom of the press is something core to our way of life, and I am pleased to see these mainstream media organisations joining the fight to protect our liberties.
For the Record, the Australian Prime Minister has been quoted as follows:
"My government will always believe in the freedom of the press – it’s an important part of our freedoms as a liberal democracy," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday.
"I also believe in the rule of law and that no-one is above it, including me or anyone else, any journalist.
"The rule of law has to be applied evenly and fairly in protection of our broader freedoms, and so I don’t think anyone's, I would hope, looking for a leave pass on those things."
So, Australia's media must follow the rule of law, but if they try to investigate whether the Government, and government agencies are doing so also, they will do anything to prevent such investigations.
Free Speach and Freedom of the Press is under attack in Australia. It it important to stay informed to avoid waking up one day in a Police State.
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