Login
Media freedom reforms welcomed
The Law Council of Australia (LCA) has backed the government’s acceptance of recommendations made by the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security following its inquiry into press freedom.
Emma Musgrave
LCA president Pauline Wright said the acceptance follows the LCA’s calls for “meaningful reforms” to the legal framework for media freedoms in Australia.
“These have been key features upon which the Law Council has long advocated, and we are pleased that the Committee and the government have accepted that these vital safeguards are necessary,” she said.
Ms Wright added that the LCA is also pleased the government has recognised the need for increased protections for journalists from secrecy offences.
“While the government will be reviewing whether public interest journalism is adequately protected under Commonwealth legislation, immediate reforms are required to amend the elements of secrecy and disclosure offences (requiring proof of harm or likely harm caused by a disclosure) and to enact broader public interest disclosure defences, not merely for journalists,” she said.
Going forward, Ms Wright urged the government to promptly implement the committee’s recommendations, “particularly the recommended amendments requiring the independent issuing of warrants, record-keeping and reporting on those warrants, and the appointment of public interest advocates”.
“Action on these matters needs not, and should not, await the completion of any further reviews into other laws (for example, reviews of secrecy and public interest disclosure laws),” she concluded.
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
Email Emma on:
