Richard Jones, Director of Journalism at the University of Salford, emphasises the pressing need for reforms in court reporting.
- Jones advocates for enhanced protections and freedoms for journalists within court environments to sustain open justice.
- He highlights the necessity for reforms that permit photography and audio recordings to maintain comprehensive court coverage.
- Jones stresses the financial challenges faced by local news providers impacting their ability to report court cases effectively.
- He proposes the establishment of press rooms and better access to remote hearings for journalists for improved reporting conditions.
Richard Jones, the Director of Journalism at the University of Salford, has proposed necessary reforms to support journalists in courts. He contends that additional protections and freedoms are essential to ensure open justice remains robust and accessible.
Jones underscores the importance of allowing photography and audio recordings within courts. This, he argues, would help prevent the gradual decline of open justice by enabling comprehensive coverage of legal proceedings.
The financial squeeze on journalism has significantly impacted local news agencies and freelancers, making it challenging for them to sustain their operations. Jones points out that court reporting is a vital component of local journalism, offering in-depth scrutiny of the criminal justice system.
According to Jones, without easing the process for court reporters, the detailed coverage of cases, both large and small, could diminish. This would potentially lead to a reliance on one-sided accounts from occasional police press releases, thereby threatening the principles of open justice.
In his book, ‘Reporting The Courts,’ Jones delves into the future of court reporting and highlights the acute financial pressures faced by local news providers. He notes that outlets like the Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo manage to publish several court stories daily owing to in-person reporting.
Jones suggests that all UK courts should offer a designated press room for journalists, which would prevent them from working in potentially compromising situations alongside defendants and lawyers. Furthermore, he advocates for improved access to remote video hearings and regular updates on court decisions to facilitate better media coverage.
The current ban on photography in the courts of England and Wales, originating from the Criminal Justice Act 1925, is seen by Jones as outdated. He acknowledges that while recent allowances for some sentencing to be filmed have been beneficial, more comprehensive reforms are necessary.
Jones concludes by calling on politicians, judges, and legal figures to take concrete steps to prevent the further emptying of press benches in courts. He insists that maintaining a visible and functional press is crucial for the continuation of open justice.
Ensuring robust court reporting remains integral to sustaining open justice, necessitating urgent reforms.
