Conversations from Byron
On Secrets: Annika Smethurst in conversation with Sunil Badami
On June 4, Federal Police raided the home of Walkley award-winning journalist Annika Smethurst, changing her life forever.
Police claim they were investigating the publication of classified information, her employer called it a ‘dangerous act of intimidation’, Smethurst believes she was simply doing her job. Smethurst became the accidental poster woman for press freedom as politicians debated the merits of police searching through her underwear drawer.
In On Secrets she discusses the impact this invasion has had on her life, and examines the importance of press freedom.
In this Conversations from Byron podcast, Annika talks with Sunil Badami about her path to political reporting, and how she approaches questions of confidentiality, national security and truth-telling in her occupation. She tells us about the day her home was raided by the AFP, and how the experience impacted her personal and professional life, as well as its effect on journalism as a whole.
Thanks to Delta Kay, Arakwal Bundjalung woman, for the Welcome to Country on this podcast.
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About the authors
Annika Smethurst
Annika Smethurst is a Walkley award-winning journalist. She is the Daily Telegraph‘s and Sunday Herald Sun‘s political editor.
Sunil Badami
Sunil Badami is a writer and broadcaster, who’s written for most major Australian publications and appears regularly on ABC radio and TV.
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