Australia passes security law, raising fears for press freedom

Reuters ^ | October 1, 2014 | Matt Siegel

[Scoutmaster]

(Reuters) - The first of a series of security powers requested by Australia's government to combat Islamist militants passed through parliament on Wednesday, despite criticism that they could land journalists in jail for reporting on national security.

Australia is increasingly concerned over the number of its citizens heading to Iraq and Syria to fight alongside radical Islamists, and police said they foiled a plot by the Islamic State group last month to behead a random Australian citizen.

Conservative Prime Minister Tony Abbott has warned that the balance between freedom and security "may have to shift" in the wake of a series of raids targeting what authorities say are the group's members and supporters.

[SNIP]

[Scoutmaster]

The proposed legislation prohibits copying, transcribing, retaining, or recording intelligence materials. Disclosing information about "special intelligence operations" would be punishable by up to ten years' imprisonment.

The primary brouhaha is that there is no exception for journalists or whistleblowers.