Protector of free press wins major media award
Professor HP Lee with his Australian Press Council medal
Monash University's Professor Hoong Phun (HP) Lee has been awarded the Australian Press Council (APC) Medal in recognition of his outstanding service to protecting freedom of the press.
Professor Lee, the Sir John Latham Professor of Law, said hew was honoured to be just the third recipient of the APC Medal since the inception of the award.
“I am deeply touched to have been awarded the APC Medal. This honour means that I have, in the APC’s eyes, contributed significantly to the promotion of good standards of media practice and the protection of freedom of the press,” Professor Lee said.
Professor Lee gave extensive voluntary and distinguished service to the APC over a long period of time, most recently as Vice-Chairman of the APC. He was first appointed an alternative Public Member of the APC in July 1987 before being made a full Public Member in August 1991. He was Vice-Chairman of the Freedom of Press Committee – later retitled the Policy Development Committee – from 1994-2010. He held the position of Vice-Chairman of the Australian Press Council from 2004-2010.
During his 23 years of service, Professor Lee drafted a number of adjudications for the Council and was actively involved in the Council’s written responses to proposed laws that were regarded as impinging upon freedom of the press and freedom of speech in general.
Professor Lee had been involved in the drafting of amicus curiaebriefs submitted by the Council to the High Court in two high profile cases. The APC is the principal body with responsibility for responding to complaints about Australian newspapers, magazines and associated digital outlets.