Attorney-General to hold media roundtable

The Albanese Government will hold a national roundtable with media organisations and key stakeholders from across the country to discuss press freedom reform.

The Albanese Government believes a strong and independent media is vital to democracy and holding governments to account.

Journalists should never face the prospect of being charged or even jailed just for doing their jobs.

There is agreement across the Parliament and the community that improved protections for press freedom are needed. The Albanese Government intends to progress legislative reform as a priority.

Reforms will be informed by the reports on press freedom by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security of August 2020 and the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications of May 2021.

The Albanese Government has already commenced a comprehensive review of all Commonwealth secrecy offences, as recommended by the Intelligence and Security Committee, which will specifically consider whether existing secrecy offences adequately protect public interest journalism.

The roundtable will bring together media organisations for a general discussion about press freedom issues in Australia and further options for reform.

To ensure a full and frank discussion, the roundtable will be conducted under Chatham House Rules. 

The roundtable will be held on Monday 27 February 2023 at Parliament House, Canberra.