Caught in Conflict: Journalism in Adversity with Integrity

A full house at the Canberra Writers Festival leaned in today as Peter Greste, Cheng Lei and John Lyons pulled back the curtain on what it takes to report truth when power would rather the lights stay off. It was a masterclass on journalism in adversity with integrity, expertly chaired by Karen Middleton.

What struck me wasn’t only the courage on stage; it was the context. Peter Greste reminded us that last year was the deadliest on record for journalists since the Committee to Protect Journalists began counting. Israel is responsible nearly 70% of those killings - making Gaza the deadliest place on the planet for journalists and the Israeli Defence Force the biggest killer of journalists.

At the same time, governments around the world are hiding information and criminalising reporting. Over two-thirds of journalists locked up globally are detained on broad “anti-state” charges such as terrorism, extremism, or false news - typically invoked when a story embarrasses those in power. That's not national security; it’s suppression of scrutiny.

Greste, Lei and Lyons each offered something rare: humility and clarity without cynicism. They spoke from their own lived experiences about risk, trauma and the moral calculus of telling the public what it has a right to know. They reminded us that press freedom isn’t just an abstract slogan. It's oxygen necessary for healthy democracy and human rights.

I'm so proud as Deputy Chair to be part of the Canberra Writers Festival. Our location in Canberra brings a unique proximity to politics and power and thus a responsibility to question both.

So here is my ask of readers, audiences and policymakers alike: defend the conditions that make honest reporting possible. Demand accountability when journalists are killed with impunity. Push back when states reach reflexively for “security” to silence scrutiny. Support freedom of information and government transparency.

And to the panel: thank you, Peter Greste, Cheng Lei, John Lyons - and Karen Middleton for chairing - for modelling professionalism, compassion and spine. You remind us that truth still has guardians, even when it comes at a cost.

Thanks and recognition must also go to our Artistic Director Andra Putnis, CEO Travis Green, and Artistic Associate Qin Qin for making this year's festival all happen. Learn more about all of us here.

PS: if you were there, share in the comments what interested you the most.

Participants today at the Canberra Writers Festival