dreamkillers
3 Feb 2002, 14:38
I read with interest in today's paper that the govt is about to introduce new laws in relation to the leaking or receiving of government documents.
Courts will reportedly be able to jail people for up to 2 years for leaking or receiving of government documents without authorisation.
The proposed laws have been blasted for censoring the press. This law means that stories such as the 'Peter Reith phone card scandal' or minister travel rorts would never have come to light.
Some comments from various outlets about the proposed new laws..........
"This is becoming a serious problem, where in the wake of September 11 the community has legitimate fears about security, but government has been acting by bringing in sweeping new powers that are simply going too far.
All governments are fearful of people leaking (information) but that's part of the democratic process, and it is something that we should be upholding and protecting, not something that the government should be cracking down on.
Unfortunately, they talk about espionage but the focus of this legislation is going to be on ordinary public servants who are just trying to do what is in the community's benefit, and they're going to face severe penalties along with anybody that decides to publish the information that they leak.
If the government doesn't fear the information that's being leaked, there shouldn't be a problem but they're going to try and cover their tracks by bringing in these significant penalties, and that's only going to work to the community's detriment.
If the government goes ahead with them, they should contain definitions which limits the penalties to espionage."
Yet at the same time we have our foreign minister speaking out against Zimbabwe's new media laws.......
The federal government condemned Zimbabwe's new media law as a violation of democratic principles by President Robert Mugabe's government.
The new law restricts access to foreign reporters and imposes tight control on local media, with a state appointed commission set up to license journalists.
Mr Downer said the new Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which passed through the Zimbabwe Parliament on Thursday, further demonstrated the current regime's contempt for democracy.
"Australia condemns the passage of this law, which unfairly limits free speech, prohibits foreign media access and places an even deeper doubt over the chance of a free and fair presidential election on 9-10 March," he said in a statement.
Not that I support what is going on in Zimbabwe but it does appear to be a slight case of hypocrisy by our govt as both laws are designed to limit free speech........
At least our bill will need to go through parliament where the Senate should knock it on the head...........
but one wonders as some headlines have suggested does the "Govt have something to hide".............
Courts will reportedly be able to jail people for up to 2 years for leaking or receiving of government documents without authorisation.
The proposed laws have been blasted for censoring the press. This law means that stories such as the 'Peter Reith phone card scandal' or minister travel rorts would never have come to light.
Some comments from various outlets about the proposed new laws..........
"This is becoming a serious problem, where in the wake of September 11 the community has legitimate fears about security, but government has been acting by bringing in sweeping new powers that are simply going too far.
All governments are fearful of people leaking (information) but that's part of the democratic process, and it is something that we should be upholding and protecting, not something that the government should be cracking down on.
Unfortunately, they talk about espionage but the focus of this legislation is going to be on ordinary public servants who are just trying to do what is in the community's benefit, and they're going to face severe penalties along with anybody that decides to publish the information that they leak.
If the government doesn't fear the information that's being leaked, there shouldn't be a problem but they're going to try and cover their tracks by bringing in these significant penalties, and that's only going to work to the community's detriment.
If the government goes ahead with them, they should contain definitions which limits the penalties to espionage."
Yet at the same time we have our foreign minister speaking out against Zimbabwe's new media laws.......
The federal government condemned Zimbabwe's new media law as a violation of democratic principles by President Robert Mugabe's government.
The new law restricts access to foreign reporters and imposes tight control on local media, with a state appointed commission set up to license journalists.
Mr Downer said the new Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which passed through the Zimbabwe Parliament on Thursday, further demonstrated the current regime's contempt for democracy.
"Australia condemns the passage of this law, which unfairly limits free speech, prohibits foreign media access and places an even deeper doubt over the chance of a free and fair presidential election on 9-10 March," he said in a statement.
Not that I support what is going on in Zimbabwe but it does appear to be a slight case of hypocrisy by our govt as both laws are designed to limit free speech........
At least our bill will need to go through parliament where the Senate should knock it on the head...........
but one wonders as some headlines have suggested does the "Govt have something to hide".............