Publications and submissions

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Policy papers
Articles
Submissions.

Foreign Interference Law and Press Freedom

Reform Briefing 1/2022 | Sarah Kendall

2018 laws introduced 9 new foreign interference offences to Australian law. This policy paper provides an overview of these laws, explains their impact on the media (particularly foreign organisations and journalists), and outlines a reform agenda to tackle foreign interference without sacrificng press freedom.

Define Journalism; Not Journalists

Reform Briefing 3/2021 | Peter Greste

Journalism plays a crucial role in Australia’s democracy, and given the extent of change that the industry has gone through in the digital revolution, it's essential that legislation be updated to include a more appropriate definition.

Closed Justice and Press Freedom

Background Briefing 2/2021 | Lucy Noble-Dickinson & Rebecca Ananian-Welsh

Journalists play an important role in facilitating open justice and pushing back against claims of secrecy. Justifications for closed courts and secrecy include to protect persons, information or national security.

Who is a Journalist?

Background Briefing 1/2021 | Dominic Frost

Legal definitions of a journalist operate in every Australian State and Territory and under federal law. Is it possible to define a journalist in law? Should a uniform definition be adopted?

Reforming Australian Shield Laws

Reform Briefing 2/2021 | Anna Kretowicz

An overview of the current state of Australian shield laws, with reform recommendations to better protect source confidentiality and press freedom, without unduly compromising the public interest in law enforcement.

Whistleblowing to the Media

Reform Briefing 2/2020 | Rebecca Ananian-Welsh

This Policy Paper summarises and critiques the avenues by which a public sector worker may make a protected disclosure of information to the media.

Espionage and Press Freedom in Australia

Reform Briefing 1/2020 | Sarah Kendall

An overview of Australia’s espionage laws, explaining their impact on media and identifying law reform options to protect national security without unduly undermining press freedom.

The 2019 AFP Raids on Australian Journalists

Background Briefing 1/2020 | Rebecca Ananian-Welsh

The AFP raids have become a focal point for debate concerning the recognition, protection and health of press freedom in Australia. In this Policy Paper, we provide a background to those raids and consider their legal and political consequences.

Articles

R. Ananian-Welsh and Jason Bosland, ‘Protecting the Press from Search and Seizure: Comparative Lessons for the Australian Reform Agenda’ (2023) 46(3) Melbourne University Law Review (forthcoming).

Sarah Kendall, ‘“Preparing” for National Security Offences: Preventive Justice or Unjust Preventive Criminal Laws?’ (2023) 49(2) Monash University Law Review.

Sarah Kendall and Dominic Frost, ‘Network Activity, Account Takeover and Data Disruption Warrants: How Novel Law Enforcement Powers Impact Media Freedom’ (2022) Australian Journal of Human Rights (advance).

Rebecca Ananian-Welsh, ‘Who is a Journalist? A Critical Analysis of Australian Statutory Definitions’ (2022) 50(4) Federal Law Review (advance).

Sarah Kendall, ‘How Australia’s Foreign Interference Laws Undermine Press Freedom’ (2022) 47(2) Alternative Law Journal 124.

Rebecca Ananian-Welsh and Sarah Kendall, ‘Crimes of Communication: The Implications of Australian Espionage Law for Global Media’ (2022) 27(3) Communication Law and Policy 3-29.

R. Ananian-Welsh, R. Cronin and P. Greste, ‘In the Public Interest: Protections and Risks in Whistleblowing to the Media’ (2021) 44(4) University of New South Wales Law Journal 1242-1280.

R. Ananian-Welsh, S. Kendall and R. Murray, ‘Risk and Uncertainty in Public Interest Journalism: The Impact of Espionage Law on Press Freedom’ (2021) 44(3) Melbourne University Law Review 764-811.

R. Ananian-Welsh, ‘Smethurst v Commissioner of Police and the unlawful seizure of journalists’ private information’ (2020) 24 Media and Arts Law Review 60-71.

R. Ananian-Welsh and J. Orange, ‘The Confidentiality of Journalists’ Sources in Police Investigations: Privacy, Privilege and the Freedom of Political Communication’ (2020) 94 Australian Law Journal 777-790.

R. Ananian-Welsh, ‘Journalistic Confidentiality in an Age of Data Surveillance’ (2019) 41(2) Australian Journalism Review 225-239.

Rebecca Ananian-Welsh, ‘Why the raids on Australian media present a clear threat to democracy’ (2019) AiPol: Australasian Institute of Policing 11(2), 12-13. ISSN: 1837-7009.