Media lawyer warns Pell contempt case could have 'chilling effect' on open justice

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Contempt of court proceedings brought against 36 Australian news organisations and journalists over their coverage of Cardinal George Pell's sex abuse trial are unprecedented in Australia and could have a chilling effect on open justice, a court hears.

They included The Age, which reported"a very high-profile figure was convicted on Tuesday of a serious crime, but we are unable to report their identity due to a suppression order".

The responses we are seeing from people who simply cannot believe the possibility of criminal behaviour from well-known people is actually extremely common, writes Rachael Sharman.He also told the hearing they could not properly understand the case against the journalists and media outlets as some of the allegations were not made in specific terms and some individuals were simply named because of their job descriptions, for example as an editor, without detailing their alleged wrongdoing.

 

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I am delighted the DPP is bringing this contempt charge against the media who think they are above the law!

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