A group of community leaders, commentators and organisations have put their names to an open letter of concern, asking politicians to affirm the rights of Australians to participate in public debate without fear of retribution.

Key points: Mr Storrar asked a question on ABC's Q&A program

Mr Storrar asked a question on ABC's Q&A program Mr Wallace says media's treatment of Mr Storrar was reprehensible

Mr Wallace says media's treatment of Mr Storrar was reprehensible Concern Mr Storrar's treatment will deter people from engaging in public debate

Concern Mr Storrar's treatment will deter people from engaging in public debate 30 Australian civil society leaders signed the letter

The letter comes after concerns about the media's treatment of Victorian man Duncan Storrar who asked a question about tax cuts and the federal budget on the ABC's Q&A program earlier this month.

In the days following, newspapers and radio shows spoke to his family members, published his criminal history and examined and ridiculed his taxable income.

President of People with Disability Australia Craig Wallace said the media's treatment of Mr Storrar was reprehensible.

"He's been subjected to the most extraordinary barrage of negative scrutiny, investigation, intrusion and breaches of his own privacy and attacks by sections of the media simply for asking that question," he said.

Mr Wallace said he believes the way Mr Storrar was publicly treated could dissuade other people from asking questions and engaging in public debate.

"Well you have to wonder if that's actually the design of this," he said.

"It potentially means that any person who takes part in a talkback radio interview, who writes a letter to the editor or is part of a voxpop in a newspaper is now fair game.

"And that's why an unprecedented group of more than 30 Australian civil society leaders have come out to say this simply needs to stop."

'Politicians need to speak up for rights of ordinary voters'

The letter, from individuals and groups including the Australian Lawyers Alliance, Julian Burnside, ACOSS, the ACTU and Jobs Australia, calls for politicians to "clearly and publicly reaffirm the rights and responsibilities of all people regardless of background, disabilities or income level, to take part in public debate and to express diverse opinions in the public square in a peaceful way free from bullying, personal intrusion, harassment or intimidation."

Mr Wallace said he would like to see action from Bill Shorten and Malcolm Turnbull on the matter.

"It's the first duty of our politicians and electoral system to speak up for the rights of ordinary voters to ask questions," he said.

"It's a great Australian tradition of having a say and I think all Australians within the bounds of decency and peacefulness, which he was, should be able to speak up on the issue of the day like he did.

"One of the things that I think would be very useful now during the election campaign would be for both Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten to sheath their swords for a moment and to stand up and say look, it is the job of informed electors to ask questions of their leaders.

"Duncan did that and we think that was legitimate and OK."

The letter has also called for the incoming Human Rights Commissioner to consider an Australian Bill of Rights, as well as the Press Council and ACMA to look into whether the media's treatment of Duncan Storrar breached any standards.