Australian federal court overturns Melbourne’s protest live ban

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According to local media, Australian media flying a helicopter over Melbourne to temporarily limit live broadcast anxiety in the city over mandatory COVID-19 vaccine and health restrictions was overturned by federal court on Thursday. I did.

On Wednesday, Victorian police applied to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to temporarily limit airspace above Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD). According to a police statement, this was due to operational and safety reasons related to responding to protests.

According to News Corporation Australian, Seven Network News Director Craig McPherson said:

The temporary ban came into effect at the end of Wednesday after a three-day protest.

Protesters were alleged to have used live media broadcasts to stay ahead of police movements on the ground, allowing protesters to avoid capture for hours.

However, following anger at the media chief’s restrictions, Victorian police later applied for permission to operate a helicopter on the CBD to collect footage, provided the media allowed a 60-minute delay before the broadcast. He said he could.

“This is because protesters actively monitored live aerial streams, jeopardizing police activity and jeopardizing the safety of their members,” the Victorian police statement read.

Australian person report Its Channel 9, Channel 7, and ABC challenged CASA’s decision in federal court Thursday, claiming that restrictions affected Melbourne’s ability to broadcast protests live.

Legal adviser Wilhorton QC represented all three broadcasters, and local outlets reported that the hearing CASA did not have the authority to assign Victoria police the authority to use specifically for the media. ..

“The media we submit is what we submit, but every time we lift a helicopter into the air, we first have to go to the Victorian police for approval, so we argue and censor on that task. You can’t. Disseminate news nationwide. “

“Second, if the business is underway in Melbourne, the Victorian police cannot censor it by refusing to approve it.”

Houghton also argued that everyday citizens have the right to know what is happening in their city and to better communicate their daily decisions.

Peter Hanks QC, on behalf of CASA, told the court that it would take more time to collect evidence for the client.

Cadden Pearson

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Caden Pearson is an Australian-based reporter with a background in screen writing and documentary. Contact him at [email protected]

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