UK: Society of Editors call for a review of Contempt of Court legislation
Posted by Katherine Thompson on September 4, 2008 at 9:07 AM
The Society of Editors' Executive Director, Bob Satchwell, says that contempt of court legislation in the UK needs to be updated. Legislation in the UK currently restricts the reporting of trials during proceedings to prevent undue influence from the media affecting a case.
However, Journalism.co.uk's Judith Townend reports that, "even if something is reported prior to a case becoming active - namely, after an arrest has been made - the content is still 'live' and easily accessible by jurors online during a trial."
The Society of Editors (SoE) has appealed to two different Attorney-Generals for a review, and in July petitioned secretary of state for justice, Jack Straw, to start the process.
Satchwell says, "There is a need for, "a general review of contempt so everyone knows where we stand." Satchwell is concerned that the UK will get to the stage where the media will be told, "you just can't report anything", which would be "quite ridiculous". He goes on to say, ""The public has a right to know these things and the public must be kept informed. What must be done is a review of the rules."
The Editors Weblog spoke to Ian Cobain, senior reporter and investigative reporter at the Guardian, and he echoed these concerns about contempt of court legislation. Cobain says, "There are so many matters where we feel that we cannot report on them because someone is about to go on trial."
Source: Journalism.co.uk
However, Journalism.co.uk's Judith Townend reports that, "even if something is reported prior to a case becoming active - namely, after an arrest has been made - the content is still 'live' and easily accessible by jurors online during a trial."
The Society of Editors (SoE) has appealed to two different Attorney-Generals for a review, and in July petitioned secretary of state for justice, Jack Straw, to start the process.
Satchwell says, "There is a need for, "a general review of contempt so everyone knows where we stand." Satchwell is concerned that the UK will get to the stage where the media will be told, "you just can't report anything", which would be "quite ridiculous". He goes on to say, ""The public has a right to know these things and the public must be kept informed. What must be done is a review of the rules."
The Editors Weblog spoke to Ian Cobain, senior reporter and investigative reporter at the Guardian, and he echoed these concerns about contempt of court legislation. Cobain says, "There are so many matters where we feel that we cannot report on them because someone is about to go on trial."
Source: Journalism.co.uk
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