National Security and Press Freedom

A free and independent press is a core component of any healthy democracy. National security too is critically important: it ensures the continued existence of the state and safety of its people. Over the course of the 21 st century, however, the relationship between press freedom and national security has been placed under increasing strain. This is certainly the case in Australia, where more counter-terrorism laws have been enacted than anywhere else in the world, and we remain the only liberal democracy lacking codified national protection for free expression or, relatedly, press freedom. In Australia and elsewhere, governments face the challenge of protecting national security without unduly encroaching on free speech, press freedom and other basic rights and liberties.