Australian Federal Police raid the national broadcaster over reporting on alleged war crimes in Afghanistan
Australian Federal Police spent hours searching the headquarters of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) over its 2017 "Afghan Files" reports on alleged killings by Australian special forces that breached the laws of armed conflict, seizing files under a warrant citing the Crimes Act's ban on publishing classified material.1234
- Country
- Australia (RSF 2026 rank: 33rd of 180)
- Where
- AU
- Level of government
- National
- Tactics
- Surveillance and subpoenas, Secrets and espionage laws
- Stage
- Punish (see the ladder)
- Head of government at the time
- Scott Morrison
- Issue of the day
- ABC's 2017 "Afghan Files" reporting on allegations that Australian special forces soldiers killed people in breach of the laws of armed conflict.
- Outcome
- Reversed, October 15, 2020. The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions decided in October 2020 not to charge journalist Dan Oakes over the Afghan Files reporting.
- Era
- The 2010s
What happened
In 2017, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the national public broadcaster, published the "Afghan Files," reports based on leaked defense documents describing allegations that Australian special forces killed people in breach of the laws of armed conflict. On June 5, 2019, Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers spent about eight hours searching ABC's Sydney headquarters, examining thousands of files and journalist Dan Oakes' emails, under a warrant citing the Crimes Act 1914's ban on "publishing classified material." Officers left with two USB drives of sealed files pending legal review. ABC managing director David Anderson said, "The ABC stands by its journalists, will protect its sources and continue to report without fear or favour on national security and intelligence issues when there is a clear public interest," and news director Gaven Morris said, "journalism is not a crime." The AFP said its actions were "independent and impartial at all times." The raid followed a separate police search, one day earlier, of a News Corp journalist's home over unrelated leaked material.1234
What reason was given
The AFP said the raid concerned "allegations of publishing classified material, contrary to provisions of the Crimes Act 1914," and separately said its investigative actions had been "independent and impartial at all times."1
What changed for reporting
Police searched the newsroom for eight hours and reviewed a journalist's personal emails and thousands of files before leaving with sealed material; ABC's news director said, "journalism is not a crime," and its editorial director called the reporting "outstanding" and in the public interest.34
Timeline
2019
Who acted
| Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Oakes | other | Investigative journalist, ABC |
| Scott Morrison | other | Prime Minister of Australia, 2018-2022 |
Outlets and journalists
| Name | Kind | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) | outlet | affected |
Sources
- ABC raided by Australian Federal Police over Afghan Files stories
- Police won't charge ABC journalist over 'Afghan Files' stories
Claims cited
- The AFP said the warrant concerned allegations of publishing classified material under the Crimes Act.
in relation to allegations of publishing classified material, contrary to provisions of the Crimes Act 1914
ABC raided by Australian Federal Police over Afghan Files stories, ABC News (Australia), 2019-06-05. Claim 313, checked 2026-09-22. - Officers left the raid with USB drives of files sealed pending legal review.
two USB drives containing a small number of electronic files, which were sealed in plastic bags pending a review by ABC lawyers
ABC raided by Australian Federal Police over Afghan Files stories, ABC News (Australia), 2019-06-05. Claim 314, checked 2026-09-22. - ABC's managing director said the broadcaster would protect its sources and continue reporting on national security matters of public interest.
The ABC stands by its journalists, will protect its sources and continue to report without fear or favour on national security and intelligence issues when there is a clear public interest.
ABC raided by Australian Federal Police over Afghan Files stories, ABC News (Australia), 2019-06-05. Claim 315, checked 2026-09-22. - ABC's editorial director called the Afghan Files reporting outstanding and in the public interest.
This was outstanding reporting … it was clearly in the public interest and sometimes difficult truths have to be told
ABC raided by Australian Federal Police over Afghan Files stories, ABC News (Australia), 2019-06-05. Claim 316, checked 2026-09-22.