The Federal Police has confirmed journalists could be jailed following this week's raids on media organisations in the hunt for whistleblowers who leaked top-secret documents into plans to boost spy powers and allegations that Australian soldiers committed war crimes.

Acting Federal Police Commissioner Neil Gaughan defended the raids, which attracted local and international condemnation, arguing it was necessary to show that authorities took leaks of classified information seriously, to reassure other countries it was safe to share intelligence with Australian agencies.