Earlier this week, we learned that our leaders also knew the war was a fiasco, doomed to fail. But, unlike many of us, they chose not to speak out. Instead, as The Washington Post revealed in a series of stunning articles based on what it has labeled the Afghanistan Papers—a trove of previously classified documents that it is calling a “secret history of the war”—dozens of consecutive generals and senior US officials had repeatedly lied about, omitted, and obfuscated the facts to give an illusion of progress in that war.
Archiv: Afghan Files
ABC raids a wake-up call to journalists who left Assange swinging
It is easy, and for some convenient, to forget how much in journalism was changed by the arrival of WikiLeaks.
It‘s perhaps one reason that he is rejected by so many journalists.
‚If Julian goes down, the rest of you do‘ – #Assange‘s father and Weiwei visit #Belmarsh
Australia May Well Be the World’s Most Secretive Democracy
One journalist is being investigated for reporting that several boats filled with asylum seekers recently tried to reach Australia from Sri Lanka. Another reporter had her home raided by the authorities this week after reporting on a government plan to expand surveillance powers.
Then on Wednesday, the Australian federal police showed up at the main public broadcaster with a warrant for notes, story pitches, emails, and even the diaries for entire teams of journalists and senior editors — all in connection with a 2017 article about Australian special forces being investigated over possible war crimes in Afghanistan.
The threat to press freedom Down Under
The Australian Federal Police’s raid of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation overnight is a national embarrassment.
Assange war nur der Anfang: Die Mächtigen knebeln die Presse, in USA, Frankreich, Australien und jetzt auch in Deutschland
Jetzt rächt sich für die etablierten Medien, dass sie die zunehmende Zensur der sozialen Medien unter dem Deckmantel der Bekämpfung von Hasssrede und Fake News nur halbherzig und die infame Verfolgung von Julian Assage gar nicht anprangerten und bekämpften. Schon betätigen sich alle wichtigen Plattformen der sozialen Medien als Zensoren in staatlichem Auftrag und Google als Reichweitenunterdrücker für Unbequeme.
Die Polizei hat in Australien beim öffentlich-rechtlichen Fernsehen ABC eine Hausdurchsuchung gemacht.
Naja, Five Eyes-Country halt. Die haben da halt andere Wertvorstellungen als eine freiheitliche Demokratie wie wir hier. Bei UNS wäre sowas un-denk-bar!
Warring Against Sources: The Australian National Security State, Journalism and the Public Interest
The story supposedly linked to the AFP warrant had been published by Smethurst on April 29, 2018. More than a year had elapsed, with little in the way of public murmurings. Australians have, for the most part, fallen under the anaesthetist’s spell regarding intrusive, unnecessary and dangerous national security laws. Another set of them would hardly matter.
But since the story, titled “Let Us Spy on Aussies” broke last year, the security wallahs have been attempting to root out the source, mobilising the AFP in the process. The account detailed information on discussions between the Home Affairs and Defence departments on the possibility of granting the Australian Signals Directorate powers to monitor the emails, bank records and text messages of Australian citizens. Letters between Secretary of Home Affairs Mike Pezzullo and Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty featured.
Such a shame the AU Press didn‘t recognise the same issues in the persecution of #JulianAssange and get started on defending #FreedomOfThePress much earlier – instead of being part of the problem.
Bravo to the country‘s media for taking on government over the new war on the media @australian @dailytelegraph @smh The Age, @GuardianAus @abcnews @SkyNewsAust all leading tonite with this story. I‘ve never seen such united front. Old rivalries put aside. Journalism matters.
“I‘ve never seen an assault on the media as savage as this… I‘ve never seen a warrant this comprehensive & I‘d say scary… The chilling message is not so much for the journalists, but it‘s also for the public,” head of ABC Investigations @TheLyonsDen tells @PatsKarvelas #auspol
‚The AFP have just realised I‘m live tweeting‘: ABC journalist lays bare police raid
John Lyons live tweeted as AFP and ABC lawyers combed through documents to determine which documents were eligible to be handed over under the search warrant. Picture: John Lyons
ABC News‘ Sydney headquarters raided by AFP over Afghan Files stories | ABC News
Australian Federal Police officers are raiding the ABC‘s Sydney headquarters over a series of 2017 stories known as The Afghan Files. ABC Head of Investigations, John Lyons was in the room during the raid, and says the warrant gives the AFP powers to see, change and delete the data they find. Mr Lyons says he‘s „never seen an assault on the media as savage“ as this. The stories, by ABC investigative journalists Dan Oakes and Sam Clark, revealed allegations of unlawful killings and misconduct by Australian special forces in Afghanistan and were based off hundreds of pages of secret Defence documents leaked to the ABC.
ABC raid: AFP leave Ultimo building with files after hours-long raid over Afghan Files stories
Australian Federal Police officers have left the ABC‘s Sydney headquarters more than eight hours after a raid began over a series of 2017 stories known as the Afghan Files.
The stories, by ABC investigative journalists Dan Oakes and Sam Clark, revealed allegations of unlawful killings and misconduct by Australian special forces in Afghanistan and were based off hundreds of pages of secret Defence documents leaked to the ABC
Police raid on ABC offices sparks firestorm over press freedom and national security
It‘s understood the ABC and the AFP have been in talks about the search warrant since September, when it was first brought to the attention of the public broadcaster.
Military lawyer on theft charge
28.2.2019 A prominent Sydney lawyer who served as legal adviser to Australia’s special forces in Afghanistan has been charged with theft over war crimes investigation files that were allegedly published in the media.
Australian Federal Police officers arrested retired major David William McBride, 55, at Sydney Airport as he sought to depart Australia to return to his new home in Europe in September last year.