The tension between press freedom and the tendencies by governments to restrict
the scope of that freedom is perhaps the archetypal conflict between citizens and
the state in liberal democracies (Keane, 1991; Schauer 1982). The legal regulation
of this tension endures and fluctuates in Australia, as it does in the UK and
elsewhere, but there is a clear legal recognition that the media has a legitimate and
valuable role in the body politic, enhancing openness and democratic political
processes (e.g. Chesterman, 2000; Meagher, 2004a). However, since 2001, most
governments have introduced counter-terrorism laws that limit media freedom.
These laws are the subject of this article. The focus is on the experience in
Australia.