AJF statement on AFP raid of journalist Annika Smethurst's home

In response to the raid of Annika Smethurst's home by the AFP, Chris Flynn, legal spokesperson of the AJF (and Partner at Gilbert + Tobin) can be quoted as follows:“news of the AFP’s raid of Annika Smethurst’s home, mobile phone and computer is deeply concerning to the AJF, and should be to all Australians. In any democracy, journalism that covers any plan by government departments to allow government agencies to monitor the lives of ordinary citizens is of the highest public interest. As is public discussion of government proposals that affects or limits freedom of private communication between citizens.

"These raids run the risk of further stifling press freedom in Australia. They reinforce the need for a Press Freedom Act to protect press freedom and free and open debate, and strike the right balance between those things and our national security framework."Media: Olivia Pirie-Griffiths, olivia@journalistsfreedom.com, 0400 716 181