When whistleblowers are prosecuted, it has a chilling effect on press freedom in Australia
A government that hunts down whistleblowers is on the slippery slope towards a police state and limited press freedom, writes Monash University’s Johan Lidberg in this crossposting from The Conversation.
Fear is a tricky thing. It’s often hard to distinguish between what is real and perceived danger. US President Donald Trump, being more comfortable with autocrats than democratic leaders, is arguably a real danger to the world order.
But a former Australian spook blowing the whistle on our spy agencies eavesdropping on an impoverished neighbour to gain advantage in a business deal? Embarrassing for the government, absolutely. But dangerous to national security? Really?
The Turnbull government’s decision to prosecute Witness K (a former Australian spy) and his lawyer Bernard Collaery, is yet another example of punishing messengers speaking truth to power.
but who are you (and the wider press) to decide what does and doesn’t affect national security?
it’s not as if the press’s motivations are anything other than driven by self interest