Former ABC journalist Kerry O'Brien says the federal government should not "faff around" with a proposed parliamentary inquiry into press freedom, and should instead move to urgently update national security laws to improve protections for journalists and whistleblowers.

Amid concerns about national security legislation in the wake of recent Australian Federal Police raids on media outlets, the Australia-based Alliance for Journalists' Freedom is similarly calling on the Morrison government to skip an inquiry, with alliance director Peter Greste arguing "we know what the problem is".

Labor is pushing for a parliamentary inquiry that looks at the balance between national security laws and media freedoms, describing it as an "essential step", while the Coalition is still considering its position.

Walkley Foundation chair and veteran journalist Kerry O'Brien is urging the government to better protect press freedom and whistleblowers. Credit:Jacky Ghossein

Greste, who was arrested and jailed in Egypt in 2013 while on an Al Jazeera assignment, said the government should set up a taskforce within weeks to work on changes to Australia's national security legislation. He said it should include legal and media professionals as well as academics.