Tommy Tainant
Diamond Member
George Pell trial: journalists and publishers face court over coverage
Three dozen journalists and publishers are to face court on Monday over their coverage of Cardinal George Pell’s trial for child sex abuse, with prosecutors seeking fines and jail terms over accusations of breached gag orders in the case.
Prosecutors in Victoria have accused the 23 journalists and 13 news outlets of aiding and abetting contempt of court by overseas media and breaching suppression orders.
Among those facing contempt charges are Nine Entertainment Co, the Age, the Australian Financial Review, Macquarie Media and several News Corp publications.
Although Monday’s hearing is largely procedural, media experts say the case shows not only the serious consequences of breaching rules on court reporting but also how poorly the rules rein in coverage in the era of digital news.
This will be an interesting case.How can we ensure a fair trial in the digital age.
Pells child abuse case was covered by a gagging order. The reasons for this were sensible and correct. After his first trial he had a second trial to follow and the judge believed that jurors in that trial might be influenced by reports from the first.
But how can the gagging order be effective if someone could click on ,for example, this forum and read all about it ?
I am guessing that those on trial filed copy for their US and UK outlets and that is the issue.
Three dozen journalists and publishers are to face court on Monday over their coverage of Cardinal George Pell’s trial for child sex abuse, with prosecutors seeking fines and jail terms over accusations of breached gag orders in the case.
Prosecutors in Victoria have accused the 23 journalists and 13 news outlets of aiding and abetting contempt of court by overseas media and breaching suppression orders.
Among those facing contempt charges are Nine Entertainment Co, the Age, the Australian Financial Review, Macquarie Media and several News Corp publications.
Although Monday’s hearing is largely procedural, media experts say the case shows not only the serious consequences of breaching rules on court reporting but also how poorly the rules rein in coverage in the era of digital news.
This will be an interesting case.How can we ensure a fair trial in the digital age.
Pells child abuse case was covered by a gagging order. The reasons for this were sensible and correct. After his first trial he had a second trial to follow and the judge believed that jurors in that trial might be influenced by reports from the first.
But how can the gagging order be effective if someone could click on ,for example, this forum and read all about it ?
I am guessing that those on trial filed copy for their US and UK outlets and that is the issue.