The intelligence agency watchdog has told MPs they should consider greater transparency over metadata warrants for journalists as part of a probe into press freedom following high-profile raids on major media organisations.

Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Margaret Stone suggested the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation could be required to publicly disclose the number of "journalist information warrants" issued to it, and report to the attorney-general each time such a warrant is used – including details about what it did with the information gathered.

Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Margaret Stone addressed the powerful PJCIS committee last year. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Ms Stone also noted – without recommending changes – that the attorney-general is not obliged to consider specific public interest factors when deciding whether to grant other warrants to ASIO that are potentially much more intrusive than obtaining metadata.

Parliament's powerful intelligence and national security committee is examining whether laws should change to better protect press freedom in the wake of police raids in June at the home of News Corp reporter Annika Smethurst and the ABC's Sydney headquarters.