Press Release :

Freedom of the Press Curtailed during APEC

Democracy has taken a back step when freedom of the press was curtailed during the APEC leaders' meeting.

Freedom of the press was violated during the APEC Final Declaration ceremony at Government House in an effort to avoid Chinese President Hu Jintao and other dignitaries to embarrassing questions.

"These are sad days for democracy. Freedom of the press should be paramount. Free speech was censored in our soil due to pressure from Chinese government officials. The basic rights of journalists and reporters have been violated and dismissed," Dr Moyes said.

APEC officials have drawn up a list of Australian Chinese media that have not been permitted to register for APEC, including at least one respectable newspaper with links to the NSW Government and a journalist who had already been given accreditation.

Sarah Maree Matheson, a reporter from the Epoch Times, along with several local and international media, were deliberately moved to another location.

A Sydney Morning Herald photographer was also denied access to photograph the Chinese president.

Australian Government officials have displayed a clear policy of secrecy by cracking down on journalists who were considered a threat during APEC.

International advocacy group Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders) ranks Australia 35th when it comes to freedom of the press, behind countries such as Namibia, Ghana, Bosnia and Bolivia.

Dr Moyes said,"We cannot interfere with the freedom of the press in Australia. This incident is a serious breach of the basic media rights in Australia.

This sets a dangerous precedent and is a worrying trend as most Australians are unaware that their basic right to know about government operations has been eroded.

This issue is of profound public interest and warrants national prominence and priority".

END.

Rev The Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes, A.C., M.L.C.