'Resented media' needs protection - Goff
MPs might resent the media but the fourth estate still needs to be protected, Labour's Phil Goff told Parliament during the final committee stages of the controversial Search and Surveillance Bill.
MPs might resent the media but the fourth estate still needs to be protected, Labour's Phil Goff told Parliament during the final committee stages of the controversial Search and Surveillance Bill.
Passing the Bill will not only limit press freedom, but will further damage New Zealand’s reputation internationally.
Mr Goff said the role of the fourth estate needed to protected.
“All of us in the house have good cause to resent the media, notwithstanding that I recognise the need to protect the role of the fourth estate. What concerns me is when New Zealand’s media freedom is downgraded from 8th in the world to 13th as it was last year,” he said, referring to the most recent Annual Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.
Labour's David Parker proposed an amendment to include the Serious Fraud Office in the same limitations which would apply to the police when seeking an order for production and examination of material held by the media.
Mr Parker specifically referenced the SFO's obtaining of documents from The National Business Review in 2010 relating to the financial collapse of South Canterbury Finance.
The bill, which sets out to reform search and surveillance legislation, codifies existing case law in some areas, while in others clarifies aspects of the law which are unclear.
While Labour opposition agreed with the majority of the changes, it was concerned that it did not include the SFO.
Labour's Annette King, a former police minister, said that with some “good will” the parties would be able to reach some sort of bipartisan agreement.
The Committee stage continues in the house today.
Melody Brandon
Thu, 08 Mar 2012
Thu, 08 Mar 2012
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
'Resented media' needs protection - Goff
19263