OZ COURT: RAID ON NEWSROOM IS LEGAL
PERTH: The Australian Federal Court ruled on Monday that a police raid last year on the country’s national broadcaster was legal, prompting fears of increasing secrecy in Australia’s institutions.
The Australian federal police raided the state-backed Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Sydney headquarters last June over the leaking of classified documents. Dubbed The Afghan Files, ABC had reported in 2017 allegations of unlawful killings and misconduct by Australian special forces in Afghanistan.
ABC launched a challenge to the validity of the warrant, arguing it was “legally unreasonable,” but the case was dismissed by Federal Court Justice Wendy Abraham, who ordered ABC to pay the costs of the other parties.
Under Australia’s increasingly stringent national security laws, it is illegal for Commonwealth officers to leak documents or publish the information.
The whistle-blower, former military lawyer David William Mcbride, has previously admitted leaking documents that formed part of the basis for ABC’S reports.
He has been charged with a raft of criminal offences and is currently out on bail until his next court appearance on Feb. 24.
ABC managing director David Anderson said the warrant was an attempt to “intimidate journalists.
PAK TOLD TO REVOKE SOCIAL MEDIA CURBS
KARACHI:THE Asia Internet Coalition has urged the government of Pakistan to revoke the social media rules that it approved last week, warning that such regulations to control cyber space will make it extremely difficult for companies to operate and cripple the country’s economy.
Under the new rules, social media companies will be obliged to disclose any information or data to a designated investigation agency, when sought. Failure to abide by any of the provisions could entail a fine of up to 500 million Pakistani rupees.
The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) is an industry association that comprises leading internet and technology companies.