(MEAA/IFEX) – The following is a 20 July 2004 MEAA media release: Police officer posing as freelance journalist undermines media integrity, says Media Alliance The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, the organisation representing over 10,000 journalists across Australia, today has expressed concern over revelations that an undercover federal agent posed as a freelance journalist in […]
(MEAA/IFEX) – The following is a 20 July 2004 MEAA media release:
Police officer posing as freelance journalist undermines media integrity, says Media Alliance
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, the organisation representing over 10,000 journalists across Australia, today has expressed concern over revelations that an undercover federal agent posed as a freelance journalist in order to obtain an arrest.
“The action of this officer serves to undermine the integrity of journalism,” said Alliance Acting Federal Secretary Mark Ryan today.
“For journalists to be able to practise independent investigative journalism, they rely on the good faith and trust of the public – sadly, this officer has abused that trust,” Ryan said.
“Police posing as journalists threatens the integrity and independence of the media, and in extreme cases, may even put journalists’ lives in danger.
“This is not a healthy development and we call on both federal and state police to respect the independence of the media,” said Ryan.
On 19 July 2004, a Sydney court heard testimony from prosecutor Desmond Fagan on the details surrounding the arrest of Seky “Zak” Mallah.
On 30 December 2003, Mallah, 21, was arrested for allegedly plotting a terrorist attack against an Australian Government building, after meeting with an agent posing as a freelance journalist. According to Fagan’s testimony, Mallah had met with the agent on three separate occasions to negotiate the sale of the exclusive rights to the tape detailing “his final message”, outlining his intentions and motivations for destroying the ASIO building.
The Alliance has today written to the Prime Minister of Australia, expressing its concern over the incident, and calling on the government to respect the independence of the media.
“Undermining journalists’ ability to independently gather news undermines our central democratic traditions,” said Ryan in the letter to the Prime Minister.
The Media Alliance represents more than 10,000 journalists across Australia.
