Journalists have requested an easing of tough bans on colleagues, exposing secret Senate committee reports.

Journalists from a range of media outlets have made the call during an appearance before the Senate Privileges’ Committee, which is examining whether the unauthorised disclosure of committee proceedings, evidence or reports should still be treated as contempt of Federal Parliament.

Unless there is a change to laws, journalists face prosecution if they publish secret Senate committee documents or details from closed door inquiries.

Fairfax metropolitan Editor in Chief, Mark Scott, wants new rules – outlining what journalists can actually publish or broadcast – saying current guidelines are too broad.

He says leaks are the lifeblood of Parliament and it is unfair to punish journalists for publishing leaked Senate committee documents:

“Such an enforced period of silence is a denial of free speech. We believe these rules harm the public interest by inhibiting the free flow of information and debate on important public policy issues.”

Scott says, however, if national security or the safety or witnesses could be affected, leaked material should not be published.

Federal Press Gallery President, Paul Bongiorno, and Secretary, James Grubel, have made an appeal for as many committee hearings as possible to be held in public.

They maintain actual contempt occurs when information is leaked – usually by a senator or their staff – not when it is reported by journalists.

“The judgment that has to be made is what is in the national interest and what is in, for example, the party political interests.

“We are here arguing, as I think a former prime minister described us, as basically vacuum cleaners. And, that’s what distinguishes us from Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.”

Media union Federal Secretary, Chris Warren, has told the committee leaked information should be a matter between the senators involved.

He has called on the Senate to follow the UK lead and dump its penal powers for contempt.