Australian Law Council warns against winding back press freedom following AFP raids

The Australian Federal Police says they’re still considering whether ABC and NewsCorp journalists will face prosecution for publishing classified information.

The acting police commissioner, Neil Gaughan, made the comments during a press conference called yesterday to explain this week’s heavily-criticised raids on the ABC and the home of News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst.

But legal experts have questioned the wide powers of the search warrant used by the Australian Federal Police to demand and seize ABC documents.

And the Law Council of Australia has warned that any winding back of press freedom would have a “chilling effect” on government transparency and integrity.

Guest: Anthony Whealy, QC, chair, Centre for Public Integrity, and former NSW Supreme Court judge

This story aired on ABC Radio National Breakfast on Friday 7 June 2019 6:48AM.