Home arrow Media arrow WA Police Powers Rejected
Sunday, 05 July 2009
 
Main Menu
Members Access





Enter your member number (Username) & surname (Password) exactly as it appears on your Alliance Membership Card. It is case sensitive.

Alliance Election Notice

Following the completion of the elections, the Australian Electoral Commission has now supplied the Alliance with the Post Election Report. 

This report is available from the Alliance on request.

WA Police Powers Rejected
Friday, 17 October 2008
ImageThe Alliance has rejected an inquest finding that WA police should get new powers to silence investigative reporting. “WA is in danger of becoming a police state where the public right to know is treated as a crime.” Alliance WA branch secretary Michael Sinclair-Jones said.

Media release 13 October 2008

Union rejects call for new police power to silence investigative reporting

An inquest finding that WA police should get new powers to silence investigative reporting is an affront to free speech and the public right to know, the media union said today.

“Police are already in serious trouble over the wrongful jailing of Andrew Mallard for 12 years, now authorities want greater secrecy − it’s absurd,” the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance said.

Senior police had every opportunity to ask ABC reporter Sue Short not to name Simon Rochford as a suspect in the murder of Mosman Park jeweller Pamela Lawrence, for which Mallard was wrongfully jailed, Alliance WA Branch Secretary Michael Sinclair-Jones said.

They also had the opportunity to warn prison authorities that Mr Rochford would be named before he committed suicide in his cell soon after.

“Had police taken either step, Mr Rochford might still be alive,” Sinclair-Jones said.

“Giving police extra powers of secrecy is not the answer.

“We’ve seen journalists − including Ms Short − hauled before secret tribunals and threatened with jail if they don’t disclose confidential sources, an armed police raid on the Sunday Times over an alleged government leak and now this.

“WA is in danger of becoming a police state where the public right to know is treated as a crime.

“The new WA Government was elected on a platform of openness and accountability.

“Premier Colin Barnett has a moral obligation to publicly reject the inquest recommendation.” 

 
Media Menu
Join the Alliance
Find Freelancers

Fair Go, Fairfax! 

Plug Me In

Plug Me In: The Future of Journalism project

The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance has launched its Future of Journalism project, a landmark enterprise which aims to analyse and harness this change for the benefit of all journalists and the public they serve.

Click here for details. 

We All Play A Part

We All Play A Part

As audiences, performers, students, teachers, backstage crew or volunteers, we all play a part in Australia’s performing arts industry. Click on the graphic to find out how you can celebrate and support our campaign.

The Walkley Foundation
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance are proud trustees of the Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism. Visit the Walkley Awards web site or the Walkley Magazine Online here.