Journalism's Blurry Future

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There have been numerous raids on journalists and media organisations in the recent months that challenges the industry’s ability to securely share information that serves the public interest. This week’s CMNS3420 tutorial discusses how journalists have been attacked in the workplace and in their home environment due to nature of their investigations. However, the raids executed by the AFP in June was an attempt to obstruct a journalist’s ability to expose the truth to educate their audiences. This event highlights the importance journalist’s play in society to hold people or organisations accountable.




ABC Headquarters was raided by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in June, searching for documents containing secret information about the defence force in Afghanistan. Following two years after ABC investigative journalists Dan Oakes and Sam Clark released The Afghan Files that gave insight into their clandestine operations. Although the files found by AFP have been seized, the ABC is continuing to fight the raid with managing director David Anderson demanding the documents be returned. Mr Anderson emphasised the importance of maintaining sources trust,

“The ABC is asking the court for a declaration that the warrant was invalid on several technical grounds that underline the fundamental importance of investigative journalism and protection of confidential sources.”



The Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton made a statement after the raid in support of the press’s freedom, 


“A key function of the AFP is the enforcement of the criminal law, without exception… However, I expect the AFP to take into account the importance of a free and open press in Australia’s democratic society...” 
Christina mentioned after her seminar discussing the AFP raid, that Australia does not have freedom of speech embedded in its constitution unlike the United States. However, the invasive actions by the AFP highlight the dire necessity to implement more protective services to journalists and their sources. But also as whistle blowers who have exposed misconduct or illegal procedures, journalist’s Dan Oakes and Sam Clark have limited protection from the law. A fellow whistle blower Richard Boyle was not so fortunate, after facing 161 years for exposing misconduct within the Tax Office.



Journalists and media organisations need to work independently to ensure their responsibility to educate the public on ethical issues in society. The recent attack by the AFP only bring attention to the negative attribute in the legal system that need to be changed to protect journalists, sources and their readers.







Bibliography

Macmillan, J 2019, Peter Dutton orders AFP to consider importance of press freedom before investigating reports, viewed 14th August 2019                    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-09/peter-dutton-orders-afp-press-freedom-investigating-journalists/11401108



Khadem, N 2019, ATO whistleblower Richard Boyle to launch crowdfunding campaign to defend legal case, viewed 15th August 2019,                                                                https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-12/ato-whistleblower-richard-boyle-to-launch-crowdfunding-campaign/11387694



Securities and Investments Commission. Whistleblower rights and protections, viewed 15th August 2019,                                                                                       https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/asic-investigations-and-enforcement/whistleblowing/whistleblower-rights-and-protections/



Whitbourn, M 2019, ABC launches court action over AFP raid, viewed 14th August 2019, https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/abc-launches-court-action-over-afp-raid-20190624-p520rd.html

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