IFJ urges government to withdraw amendments to cross media ownership laws
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ Urges Australian Government to Improve Media Diversity The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation of journalists representing more than 500,000 journalists worldwide, has called on the Australian Government to withdraw amendments to Australia’s cross media ownership laws, arguing that Australia can ill afford […]
Court decision jeopardises freedom of expression on the Internet
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has voiced deep concern about the Australian High Court’s ruling on 10 December 2002 that online publishers can be sued for libel in the countries where their online texts are read and where the plaintiff’s reputation is at risk, rather than in the countries where the publication originates. The decision was taken […]
Investigative reporter attacked
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 25 October 2002 CPJ press release: AUSTRALIA: Investigative reporter attacked New York, October 25, 2002-The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemns the recent attack on journalist Hedley Thomas and his family at their home in Brisbane, on the east coast of Australia. Thomas is a reporter with the Courier-Mail, […]
IFJ urges government to withdraw proposed Criminal Code amendments
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ condemns Australian bid to gag media and officials as “pernicious threat to press freedom” The International Federation of Journalists today called on the Australian Government to withdraw amendments to the country’s Criminal Code, which, say journalists, threatens both whistle blowers and journalists and constitutes “a […]
Journalist arrested
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ Asia Pacific Office press release, followed by a joint IFJ and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance protest letter to Prime Minister John Howard: 29 January 2002 Journalist arrested at Woomera Detention Centre Australian and international media covering a hunger strike at the Woomera Detention Centre, South Australia, […]
Riot police rough up journalists
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the police minister of the state of West Australia, Kevin Prince, RSF protested police violence against journalists in Perth. RSF reminded the minister of “his duty to protect journalists, and to identify and sanction those responsible for these acts.” RSF is pleased to note that an inquiry has been […]
Spy agency investigates broadcaster, magazine over East Timor reports
On 8 December 1999, Inter Press Service (IPS) reported that Australia’s national broadcaster and a magazine are being investigated by Australia’s spy agency for airing and publishing a series of stories based on alleged intelligence leaks on East Timor. IPS said “The Age” newspaper, of Melbourne, reported the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) was probing […]
East Timor activist to be charged for displaying photos of torture
(HRW/IFEX) – East Timor activist Vaughan Williams from the Darwin-based Australians for a Free East Timor was due to appear at the Northern Territory’s Darwin Magistrates Court on 15 December 1997 for publicly displaying pictures of East Timorese women being tortured by the Indonesian Armed Forces (Abri). He is being charged by police under the […]
Proposed strengthening of laws on intelligence information threatens journalists
On 1st June 1995, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Gareth Evans announced that the government would strengthen and expand the Commonwealth Crimes Act of Australia in order to condemn journalists who publish sensitive information on national security, defence or intelligence activities. This followed allegations made by former agents of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) on […]