Press Council Free Speech Activities

Activities in support of free speech

The Council seeks to Ensure the freedom as well as the responsibility of the press. In doing so, it has, over the last thirty years, made representations to governments, parliamentary inquiries, law reform commissions and various other individuals and bodies, setting forth its position on matters that may adversely affect free speech, or the freedom of the press. It does so under two of the objects in its Constitution:

Keeping under review, and where appropriate, challenging political, legislative, commercial or other developments which may adversely affect the dissemination of information of public interest, and may consequently threaten the public's right to know;
Making representations to governments, public inquiries and other forums as appropriate on matters concerning freedom of speech and access to information;

In its role as a defender of press freedom, the Council scrutinises legislation, court decisions and any activities of politicians, courts, newspaper proprietors and others that might threaten press freedom. Where appropriate it issues press releases, and makes submissions to ministers, parliamentary committees, officials and inquiries and to bodies such as Law Reform Commissions. It also organises seminars and public meetings to foster public knowledge of issues relating to press freedom and journalistic ethics. It exchanges information with press councils around the world, and with other relevant Australian and international organisations. Reports on its activities in this area are published in the APC News and summarised in the annual report.

Material related to free speech activities within this site

A summary of the major positions taken by the Council in its free speech activities - recently updated to include the revised positions on surveillance devices and on privacy.

The report on the Council's free speech activities from the 2006-2007 Annual Report.

A list of submissions from 1988 including the full text of the most recent ones, including:

To the Commonwealth Attorney-General on proposed amendments to the Classification Code to prohibit publication of material advocating terrorism.
To the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry into the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Terrorist Material) Bill 2007.
To the NSW Law Reform Commission in response to Consultation Paper 1, Invasion of Privacy.
To the NSW Legislative Council Standing Committee on Law and Justice Inquiry into the Prohibition on the Publication of Names of Children Involved in Criminal Proceedings.
To the Australian Law Reform Commission in response to its Discussion Paper 72, Review of Australian Privacy Law.
To the Northern Territory Department of Justice, Five-Year Review of the Information Act 2002.
To the NSW Ombudsman's Review of the NSW Freedom of Information Act 1989.
To the Independent Review of the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (Qld).
to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts: Inquiry into the Sexualisation of Children in the Contemporary Media Environment.

An article which looks at the Australian media scene and the relevant applicable laws.

A May 2007 letter to Attorneys-General calling for more effective shield laws.

A May 2007 op/ed article, published by the Herald Sun launching the Council's 'Come Clean' campaign.

A press release on World Press Freedom Day 2006.

A 2005 speech on the threats to the press of a putative tort of privacy.

Links to sites of interest to those concerned with free speech issues, including:

and

Indices of major free speech issues dealt with in the APC News and elsewhere in this site, including:

Freedom of Information

Developments arising from a 2002 Press Council study, including a 'review' by the federal Attorney-General and comments on the review from journalists at The Australian. See articles from the August 2003 APC News and a 2004 speech calling for reform of FoI. There is also the amicus curiae brief to the High Court in McKinnon's case and the Council's response to the Court's decision.

News Print Media report

The Council has now published the 2007 Supplement to the 2006 State of the News Print Media in Australia report. The 2006 report is still available online or can be purchased for $6 (GST inclusive) from the Council office.

Charter for a free press

The Council has developed a Charter which will form the basis of its activities in defence of free speech and press freedom.

	About the Council [ its history and benefits of self-regulation \| Members] \| Adjudications \| Complaints [ Privacy Standards \| Complaint Procedure \| Make a Complaint ] Public activities [ Council publications \| Case Studies \| APC Fellow \| Public Forums \| APC Prize ] \| Annual Address ] \| Freedom of the Press \| What's New \| APC News \| Guidelines \| Links \| Search this site [ by keyword or browse the sitemap ] \|

	Last updated 23 April 2008 All material ©The Australian Press Council. Email: info@presscouncil.org.au Copyright and Disclaimer Notice Website Design, Construction & Maintenance by Catherine McDonnell and the Australian Press Council.