National security laws
Australia’s raft of national security laws were created in response to the threat of terrorist incidents. In the process, the laws have been framed to deliberately undermine press freedom in Australia by seeking to control the flow of information, persecute and prosecute whistleblowers, criminalise journalists for their journalism in the public interest, and minimise legitimate scrutiny and reporting of government agencies.
At the heart of the legislation is a sustained attack on the right to freedom of expression and opinion, the right to privacy, and the right to access information — especially information about what governments do in our name.
Politicians have failed to comprehend the depth and seriousness of the press freedom and freedom of expression implications of the legislation they have created — despite the numerous statements, submissions by MEAA and other media groups, including the joint media organisations that make up the Australia’s Right To Know lobby group (of which MEAA is a member).
