‘Shield laws will give whistleblowers confidence’: New law protects QLD journalists and sources
New laws have been passed in parliament today that will protect Queensland journalists and their sources, bringing the state in line with the rest of the country.
Queensland shield laws are the “culmination of many years of campaigning by members of the MEAA union in the state and legally shield journalists from being required to reveal the sources in their stories. The new laws allow journalists to claim legal privilege in order to protect a confidential source.
“Without this protection, whistleblowers are more reluctant to come forward, and the public’s right to know is diminished,” explains MEAA’s acting director Michelle Rae.
“The passage of this legislation by the Queensland Parliament is hugely welcome.
“Queensland – more than any other state – knows how important investigative journalism is to clean out government corruption and restore democracy.
“Journalists are not above the law, but shield laws recognise the important role of public interest journalism in our democracy.
“The protection of sources is a fundamental responsibility for ethical journalism recognised the world over, and no journalist should ever risk going to jail for standing by their Code of Ethics.
“Shield laws will give whistleblowers confidence that when they provide information to a journalist, their identity will be protected.
“It is particularly welcome that these new protections extend to Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission hearings, and we urge other state and territories to adopt a similar approach.”
Rae notes a Queensland journalist, who cannot be named, was the driving force behind the change in laws. The journalist is facing prosecution for refusing to reveal the identity of a confidential source to the Crime and Corruption Commission.
“Their courage and their commitment to remain true to their ethics is an inspiration to us all,” Rae said.
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