Australia: The World’s Most Secretive Democracy?
Raids targeting journalists this week are the latest examples of how far the country’s government will go to scare officials and reporters into submission, media experts say.
Norman Swan
75d ago
Globally shamed.
115
I used to get surprised looks when I complained about Australia’s culture of secrecy. But the evidence keeps piling up nytimes.com/2019/06/05/wor… via @nytimesworld
"Since the 9/11 attacks, Australia has passed or amended more than 60 laws related to secrecy, spying and terrorism, according to independent studies.
“That’s more than any other mature liberal democracy on the globe,"
More on the AFP raids — Australia May Well Be the World’s Most Secretive Democracy
'Even among its peers, Australia stands out. No other developed democracy holds as tight to its secrets... and the raids are just the latest example of how far the country’s conservative government will go to scare officials and reporters into submission.'
Sometimes it takes an outsider to call it.
"Australia May Well Be the World’s Most Secretive Democracy"
“In Australia’s case, the authorities have enormous scope and few checks on their power. ... Democracies ... are increasingly targeting journalists to ferret out leaks, silence critics and punish information sharing”
I was on the air on @ABCsydney interviewing the Editorial Director of @ABCnews about the #ABCraids, while the Feds were still in the building. Surreal.
Advance, Australia fair. Advance.