Release: Journo ‘wrong-think’ shouldn’t lead to police raids and jail time

Release: Journo ‘wrong-think’ shouldn’t lead to police raids and jail time

The Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance, the nation’s largest grassroots advocacy group representing all taxpayers, today supports Australian news outlets as they call for reforms to protect public interest journalism.  

“Journalists from all political philosophies provide an important check on government. By using fear tactics to force journos to tow the line, the Australian government hides important information from taxpayers.” Says ATA Communications Manager, Emilie Dye. “We don’t live in an authoritarian regime, so we shouldn’t let the government get away with acting like the Communist Party of China (CPC).”

“Police have started breaking down the doors of individuals who use ‘wrong-speak’. This year police raided two media headquarters and a journalist’s home. They also raided ATO whistle-blower Richard Boyles’s home and are threatening him with 161 years in prison for revealing egregious misconduct in the ATO.

“News outlets are asking for basic protections for whistle-blowers, reform to defamation laws, a right to contest search warrants, and basic government transparency. Australians deserve to know what the government is up to. Otherwise bureaucrats will waste their money, the ATO will bludgeon taxes out of them, and politicians will go on regulatory power trips.

“Whether you agree or disagree with a journalist’s politics, news outlets tell the Australian people what the government is up to. Journos deserve speech protections, so they can do their job without fearing aggressive police raids or jail time.”