NCJ Number
19664
Date Published
1974
Length
180 pages
Annotation
AN OUTLINE OF THE RELATIONSHIP OF JUSTICE AND JOURNALISM IN ENGLAND, SHOWING HOW NEWSPAPERS HAVE PROVIDED MAGISTRATES' COURTS WITH A PUBLIC RECORD AND HOW THE PRESS HAS ACTED AS A CRITIC OF JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION.
Abstract
THE HISTORY OF THE LAWS GOVERNING COURT REPORTING IS ALSO OUTLINED, SHOWING THAT REPORTS OF MAGISTRATES' JUVENILE, DOMESTIC AND COMMITTAL COURTS ARE NOW REGULATED BY TWENTIETH-CENTURY LEGISLATION, WHEREAS REPORTS OF CRIMINAL CASES STILL ENJOY THE PRIVILEGE BESTOWED BY A LAW OF 1888, WHICH RESULTED FROM A BILL PROMOTED BY NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS. THE AUTHOR STATES THAT PUBLICITY FOR SUMMARY CHARGES, WITH WHATEVER PUNITIVE EFFECT IT MAY HAVE ON THE PEOPLE INVOLVED, IS NOW INCURRED BY A RANDOM SELECTION OF ACCUSED PERSONS, FOR REASONS WHICH HAVE TO DO WITH NEWS VALUE, NOT WITH JUSTICE. IT IS ARGUED THAT NEWSPAPER PRACTICE IN THE USE OF COURT COPY COPY SHOULD SERVE THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE, AS WELL AS THOSE OF THE NEWSPAPER INDUSTRY, WHETHER THIS IS BROUGHT ABOUT VOLUNTARILY OR BY LEGISLATION. THE AUTHOR ALSO HOLDS THAT A DUTY TO CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH THE COURTS' COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC RESTS PRIMARILY ON THOSE WHO ADMINISTER JUSTICE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)