(MEAA/IFEX) – The following is an MEAA press release: Police actions obstruct journalists The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance today expressed its concern at police actions using the Summary Offences Act to obstruct journalists reporting a major political story in Australia this week. The incident followed the resignation of Opposition Leader Mark Latham on January […]
(MEAA/IFEX) – The following is an MEAA press release:
Police actions obstruct journalists
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance today expressed its concern at police actions using the Summary Offences Act to obstruct journalists reporting a major political story in Australia this week.
The incident followed the resignation of Opposition Leader Mark Latham on January 18, when police threatened to arrest journalists under Section 28F of the act. The journalists involved were awaiting comment from Mr Latham following his announcement.
“The use of Section 28F(b) of the Summary Offences Act to restrict the movement of journalists covering public events and a political public figure is a blatant abuse and misuse of the law,” said Alliance federal secretary, Christopher Warren today. “It is arguably unconstitutional,” said Warren.
The Alliance expressed its outrage over the police use of judicial power in an attempt to control the movement of journalists. It has written to the New South Wales (NSW) Minister for Police, John Watkins, calling for an immediate end to the NSW Police Force’s use of the act to move journalists on under the threat of arrest.
“These actions by the NSW Police are in direct violation of press freedom, and we urge the NSW Government to take all steps necessary to ensure respect and promotion of a free and independent media in NSW,” Mr Warren said.
The Media Alliance represents more than 10,000 journalists across Australia.
