Australian-Media.com.au News

• WA Premier set to protect journalists

  July 7 2008 8:28am (UTC+8)  -  Article by Kevin

  IN BRIEF | Former journalist and current WA Premier Alan Carpenter looks set to introduce so called "shield laws" to protect WA journalists if his Labor Government is re-elected at the next election.
  
  The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance claims they have a commitment from state Attorney General Jim McGinty that laws to protect "ethical journalists" will be introduced in the next term of a Labor Government.
  
  Currently, journalists in Western Australia can be forced to attend secret hearings by the Corruption and Crime Commission and made to reveal their sources or face contempt charges. They are not permitted to tell anyone about the hearings or they face three years' jail and a $60,000 fine.
  
  McGinty says he supports the new laws but would not give a time frame on when they will happen.
  
  Australian-Media.com.au

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