Chair of the Senate Inquiry into Press Freedoms, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, has vowed to look at the very concerning treatment of the press by police at the IMARC in Melbourne today.

“Journalists should be able to report on protests and demonstrations without being assaulted. Yet today, we’ve seen reports of a reporter being physically pushed and grabbed by police, and a journalist capsicum sprayed,” Senator Hanson-Young said.

Today’s landmark campaign by media outlets is a welcome offensive against the erosion of media freedom and whistleblower protections, the Greens say.

“Whether it’s cruelty of horses as we saw last week, abuse in aged care, or misconduct of the banks, media freedom and whistleblower protection isn’t just about journalists, it’s about the public’s right to know,” Greens Spokesperson for Media and Communications and chair of the Senate Inquiry into Press Freedoms, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

Greens Spokesperson for Media Senator Sarah Hanson-Young responded to the Federal Attorney-General’s directive to the Commonwealth DPP that journalists not be charged without his approval:

“Journalists should not be charged for doing their jobs full stop.

“They should not have their homes raided. They should not be intimidated or threatened. They should not be attacked by the government for reporting what is in the public interest.

“Freedom of the press and protection for whistleblowers should not be at the whim of the government of the day.

The Greens responded to the AFP raid on the home of an Australian Signals Directorate intelligence officer today:

Greens Spokesperson for Media and Communications and Chair of the Senate Inquiry into Press Freedoms and Whistleblower Protections Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Today’s raid by the AFP on an intelligence officer is very concerning. The intimidation of truth tellers by this government is alarming.

“Journalism and the protection of whistleblowers are essential pillars of democracy.

The Greens will consider the Digital Platforms Inquiry report and its 23 recommendations handed down today from the ACCC.

“Social media and digital platforms have fundamentally changed the way that we receive and consume news and information. Australia’s hyper-concentrated traditional media environment is not helped by this concentrated digital environment, with too much power amassing in the hands of just a few key players,” said Senator Hanson-Young, spokesperson for media and communications

Freedom of the press and whistle-blower protection will finally get the hearing they deserve as the Senate votes in favour of an inquiry to be chaired by Senator Hanson-Young.

“This week’s arrest of four French journalists highlights how badly we need to rethink press freedom in Australia,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“Press and whistle blower protections have been steadily eroded and the government just wants to sweep this under the carpet.

Further police crackdown on journalists highlights importance of Senate inquiry into press freedom, Greens say.

“The arrest of journalists in Queensland today is incredibly alarming,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“A free press is a fundamental pillar of democracy and it seems, here in Australia, it is under threat. Arresting journalists for doing their job has eerie echoes of a police state.

The Australian Greens share the serious concerns held by ABC chair Ita Buttrose regarding ongoing attacks on press freedoms and the Government’s flippant response. The AFP raids on a News Corp journalist’s home and the ABC Sydney headquarters must be investigated.

Scott Morrison’s pre-election budget has confirmed cuts to the ABC will continue under the Liberals, the Greens say.

“This is a government that has undermined the integrity of the ABC again and again and now, in this budget, they’ve locked in further cuts. The ABC needs a boost in funding, and under this government it continues to lose out,” Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The Australian Greens media reform package turns the blow torch on the big corporate media giants and places quality, public interest journalism front and centre. With an inquiry to break up media concentration, a review of the social media giants and a series of tax changes and transparency measures we’ll be making sure the public interest is prioritised ahead of profits.