Good guidance from the England and Wales Chief Jusice – but it does beg the question – what is a journalist ?
Guidance from lord chief justice means journalists no longer have to make application to tweet, text or email from courts
Journalists no longer have to make an application to tweet, text or email from courts in England and Wales following guidance issued by the lord chief justice, Lord Judge.
“Twitter as much as you wish,” he said as he delivered the guidance which takes immediate effect and covers the use of electronic devices including phones and small handheld laptops for live text-based communications.
The guidance extends that issued last December and now also allows members of the public to tweet, but they, unlike journalists and legal commentators, must seek permission from the court in advance.
Judges retain full discretion to prohibit any live text-based communication from court in the interests of justice, and permission from court may be withdrawn “at any time”.
“A fundamental aspect of the proper administration of justice is open justice. Fair, accurate and, where possible, immediate reporting of court proceedings forms part of that principle,” said Judge.
That is all very well but the public still have to ask permission to take notes in Court in NZ let alone twitter
It just happens that I am meeting the local judges this afternoon. I will ask how we fair here and if there is to be any changes
You might want to read the LAw Commission report on new media which gives a four point guide to who is classed as a journalist.
I think this is nice but the court needs to be reasonably conservative on this kind of thing as suppression orders can often come after information is revealed. Direct reporting live could create issues in those circumstances.