Level: Essential   Points: 2

Sophie Dawson
Partner, Blake Dawson (How and Why to Argue For and Against Journalists’ Privilege)

Jeremy Storer
Senior Associate, Blake Dawson (Australian Secrecy Laws and the Media)

How and Why to Argue For and Against Journalists’ Privilege

The seminar will examine issues associated with protecting confidential communications between journalists and their sources in certain circumstances, and the appropriate balance of the public interest in a free and independent press, against the interests of ensuring justice and the integrity of the courts. Practical tips will be given on how to defend a journalist’s right to confidential sources and how to argue for a disclosure of sources.

Australian Secrecy Laws and the Media

A wide range of federal legislation in Australia currently deals with secrecy, privacy, confidentiality and access to official information. The Australian Law Reform Commission is reviewing options for a consistent approach across government for the protection of Commonwealth information, balanced against the need to maintain an open and accountable government through providing appropriate access to information. The outcome may have a significant impact on the media industry and its ability to investigate and report on matters in the legitimate interest of the public.

Chair: Ju Young Lee, Associate, Norton Rose Australia and Vice Chair of the Communications, Entertainment and Technology Law Committee, NSW Young Lawyers.