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.

Strengthening media diversity and stopping the spread of misinformation and hate

Australia has one of the most concentrated media markets in the world. We know that to have a healthy democracy we need a healthy media and ours is trending in the wrong direction.

The Greens will prioritise stronger media diversity with a comprehensive plan. We will:

•             establish an inquiry into breaking up current media concentration;

•             implement a suite of policies designed to encourage diversity and support public interest journalism; and

Ita Buttrose must be considered by the independent nomination panel before cabinet names the next ABC chair, the Greens say.

“If the Morrison Government wants to nominate Ms Buttrose, it must go through the proper channels,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“Five months have passed since the Government was caught in a web of political interference at the ABC. They still have not learned their lesson.

The Australian Greens are announcing their policy to establish a Creativity Commission and bolster our local creative industries at this year’s Screen Forever conference.

 “Our economy and our industries are rapidly changing. A creativity commission would give Australians the resources and the license to think about things differently to maximise success,” Greens arts spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.