New privacy rules branded as “censorship”

New privacy rules for broadcasters announced last week by the media watchdog have been branded as censorship by news bosses.

The privacy guidelines for broadcasters announced on Christmas Eve by the Australian Communications and Media Authority will limit the ability of TV networks to invade the privacy of individuals, including politicians and public figures.

The new rules will also potentially prevent broadcast media from showing images of asylum-seekers arriving by boat.

The Dept of Immigration and Citizenship submitted that, “We see evidence on an almost daily basis of the lack of respect and regard all news outlets are displaying in relation to the privacy of asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat, and client detainees in immigration detention.

“We have approached news directors, producers, chiefs of staff and individual news gatherers about these ongoing concerns through a range of channels including phone calls, meetings, emails, media alerts and letters, to no avail.”

Peter Meakin, the Seven Network’s head of news and current affairs has criticised the ruling.

“I think it’s a ridiculous provision and I suspect it is being done more for the benefit of authorities than for the asylum-seekers,” he told The Australian.

“I can understand asylum-seekers wanting privacy for the protection of their families, but a blanket ban is just the big hand of censorship.”

Even Linda Briskman, professor of human rights education at Curtin University, found course to agree.

“By not portraying the human face of the asylum-seeker, they become dehumanised, criminalised and it’s easier for people to ignore their suffering,” she said.

“Photos allow us to empathise, especially when we look into the eyes of children.”

Under the rules networks will be forced to pixellate faces of asylum seekers.