News Corp and ABC to legal challenge warrants used in consecutive AFP raids
News Corp will seek to challenge in the High Court the validity of the Australian Federal Police warrant used to raid the home of political journalist Annika Smethurst after ABC lodged a legal challenge in Federal Court demanding AFP return seized files.
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News Corp Australia will seek to challenge in the High Court the validity of the warrant the Australian Federal Police used to raid the home of political journalist Annika Smethurst.
The move comes as the ABC lodged a legal challenge on Monday in the Federal Court demanding the AFP return files seized during a raid on its offices this month.
Media bosses have joined forces to argue the raids on consecutive days had a chilling effect on media freedom and the public right to know and will this week demand changes to the law.
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Michael Miller, executive chairman of News Corp Australasia, publisher of The Daily Telegraph, said: "We will challenge the validity of the warrant used to conduct the Australian Federal Police raid on the Canberra home of journalist Annika Smethurst because we are determined to fight for journalism and for the public's right to know.
“We also invite the AFP to confirm that it is discontinuing its investigation into both Annika and News Corp.”
The June 4 raid on Ms Smethurst allowed AFP officers to search for material linked to a leaked story about a secret plan to spy on Australians and was described by Mr Miller at the time as “unequivocal intimidation.”
ABC managing director David Anderson confirmed on Monday it had lodged a legal application seeking to set aside the AFP warrant and demand the return of files seized in the raid on its offices. A full hearing is not expected until late July or early August.
“It is important that Australians be advised of this action and of the determination of the ABC to defend our journalists and the crucial work they do informing the public,” Mr Anderson said.
The warrant served on the ABC allowed officers to search for leaked material relating to a story on the killing of civilians by Australian Special Forces in Afghanistan known as the Afghan Files.
“The ABC will be using every avenue over the next few weeks to defend the actions of its journalists and to seek legislative changes that protect the media’s ability to report on matters of public interest,” Mr Anderson said.
Mr Miller and Mr Anderson will join with Nine Entertainment chief executive Hugh Marks to demand changes to legislation at a joint appearance at the National Press Club in Canberra tomorrow.
“Collectively and individually, we are committed to working constructively with the Government to address weaknesses in the legal protections for journalists and whistle blowers and to push for meaningful, urgent reform,” Mr Anderson said.
Originally published as News Corp and ABC to legal challenge warrants used in consecutive AFP raids
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