“Multiple people attended Disrupt Burrup Hub campaign events that were filmed by Four Corners on the explicit proviso that they not be identified or featured on camera in the program,” he said.

“Four Corners has thus far stuck to this commitment, of course, but if the ABC surrenders all its footage to WA authorities they will breach these guarantees and betray sensitive sources, in spite of undertakings.”

The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) federal president Karen Percy said the order was a direct threat to press freedom in a story that was scrutinising police overreach.

“We urge the ABC to stand firm and not hand over the footage,” Percy said.

“Protecting sources is sacrosanct for journalists. To reveal sources is contrary to the MEAA Journalist Code of Ethics.

This law is an outrageous over-reach and the WA Police should not proceed with this action. It’s ironic that a story looking at the extreme measures being used by the powerful to shut down climate activism, is itself under threat by extreme measures.”

WA Police Minister Paul Papalia said he was comfortable with WA Police’s order.

“If Four Corners knew about these events in advance it’s actually really irresponsible and pretty disgraceful behaviour that they didn’t notify the police,” he said.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the force had an obligation to collect the best evidence for any alleged crime. He said orders to produce were made with the approval of the courts and most orders made to corporations were done with the consent of both parties.

When asked why police had ordered the ABC to produce the entire suite of footage collected for the episode he said police didn’t “have discretion” when it came to producing evidence.

“Much of that evidence might be something that supports the defence case. We have an obligation to present all evidence to the court and let the court decide if they’re guilty or innocent. That’s not our job,” he said.

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