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November 11th, 2011 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda
Simon Artz , a policeman charged with leaking information to the media before terror raids in 2009. Photo: Jason South
A News Ltd journalist who wrote a front-page story about a highly sensitive counter-terrorism operation has told a court he was alerted to the case by a Victorian policeman.
The Australian’s Cameron Stewart was today instructed by a magistrate to answer questions about his confidential sources, despite his objections under the journalists’ code of ethics.
Stewart told Melbourne Magistrates Court that policeman Simon Artz alerted him to the top-secret operation in an email exchange on July 28, 2009, in which the officer wrote “something’s brewing”.
They then arranged to meet to discuss the operation, codenamed Neath, on July 30.
Detective Senior Constable Artz is charged with offences including wilful misconduct after allegedly leaking information about the operation.
Five Melbourne men were arrested and placed on terrorism charges by Operation Neath investigators after raids on several properties in August 2009.
Three were convicted after a Supreme Court trial last year and two were acquitted.
A front-page story by Stewart ran on the morning of the scheduled raids, which began at 4.25am. The court has heard the newspaper had been on sale from 1.50am.
Mr Stewart, 49, who told the court he worked in intelligence before he became a journalist, said that before the July 28 email exchange, he had no authorised or unauthorised “sources” at the Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) nor Victoria Police in relation to the operation.
Nor did he contact anyone at the above agencies between the day of the email exchange and his meeting with Mr Artz two days later, he said.
This morning’s hearing included multiple interruptions due to objections and legal argument. Stewart also sought legal advice about his rights as a journalist, describing himself to magistrate Peter Mealy as a “reluctant witness”.
He said he was only giving evidence in the case because Mr Artz had signed a deed releasing him from his ethical obligation to maintain the confidentiality of his source for the article.
“Without the deed of release I would be unable to give evidence,” he said.
“That is the only reason I’m here.”
The committal hearing continues.
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