Government moves to reinforce journalists' privilege

19/03/2009

Less than a week before the Freedom of Speech Conference, Attorney-General Robert McClelland has introduced the Evidence Amendment (Journalists’ Privilege) Bill 2009 in the House of Representatives. The Bill is designed to enhance provisions in the_ Evidence Act 1995_ to protect journalists from naming their sources in appropriate circumstances.

In his second reading speech, the attorney said: "Protection of journalists' sources is one of the basic conditions of press freedom. As recognised by the European Court of Human Rights in 1996, without such protection, sources may be deterred from assisting the press in informing the public on matters of public interest." View the attorney's media release>

**19 March 2009 **