Foreign Spies Target Media, ASIO Claims

The secretary of the home affairs department, Mike Pezzullo is questioned during Senate Estimates at Parliament House on February 18, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

Australia’s spy agency has warned foreign intelligence agents are using journalism as a cover and trying to recruit local reporters to help their activities.

ASIO deputy director-general Heather Cook made the claim to a parliamentary committee examining the impact of security laws on press freedom.