NMA Welcomes Reporting Restrictions Rule Change To Strengthen Open Justice

A change to criminal procedure rules to explicitly require proper notification of journalists when discretionary reporting restrictions are applied for in the courts will strengthen the principles of open justice, the News Media Association has said.  

Announced today, the change – the result of work by media representatives who sit on the HMCTS Media Working Group, HMCTS officials and the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee – will come into force on 6 October.

When journalists are not given timely information about applications for reporting restrictions, they are denied the opportunity to challenge them which could mean that transparency is also compromised.

The new amendments, which have been approved by the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee, will change this, ensuring media organisations receive proper notification when restrictions are proposed.

NMA director of legal Sayra Tekin said: “We are grateful to the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee for their extensive engagement which has led to this important and consequential addition to the rules being introduced.

“A clear and unequivocal requirement for parties to notify the media of reporting restriction applications will result in much greater clarity for both media and the courts, strengthening open justice.

“We look forward to continuing our engagement with the courts and judiciary to further strengthen the media’s vital role reporting on the courts on behalf of the public.”

Georgia Jerram, director of communications, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, said: “To uphold the principles of open justice, a number of elements need to be in place – rules, guidance, training, systems and processes.

“I am grateful to everyone who engaged so constructively on this issue to bring this change into effect. It’s a small step, but indicative of wider efforts, across the justice system, to support journalists in undertaking their vital work in reporting the courts.”

Chair of the Media Lawyers’ Association Pia Sarma said: “The MLA welcomes the change to the rules. Journalists act as the eyes and ears of the public and perform a role in keeping justice open.

“If they are not told that reporting restrictions might be put in place they don’t have the opportunity to challenge them and cannot perform their crucial role while court reporting.”