Labor to block spying law to protect media

Bill Shorten says he will block proposed foreign espionage laws unless they are changed to protect the media's right to report.

Labor will block proposed foreign espionage laws unless they are changed to protect journalists doing their jobs.

The Turnbull government has proposed new foreign espionage laws that could mean journalists could be jailed if they receive classified information.

"I won't support laws that see journalists imprisoned simply for doing their jobs," Labor leader Bill Shorten said on Tuesday.