- new agreement to cement journalists’ rights when covering trials and hearings
- The Charter describes how the Courts Service provides assistance and information to the media
- key measure to increase public confidence in the justice system
The document brings together practical advice for journalists attending courts and tribunals to make it easier for them to obtain the access, documents and information to which they are entitled.
It was developed by the Media Lawyers Association and the HM Courts and Tribunals Service and was unveiled at the Society of Editors annual conference today (11 May 2022).
The Charter gives guidance on how journalists can request to observe video hearings or connect remotely, given that there are currently around 12,500 hearings held remotely per week, compared to just a handful before the pandemic of COVID-19.
Justice Minister James Cartlidge said:
Justice must be seen to be done to maintain public trust and the media plays a vital role as their eyes and ears in the courts.
This charter will help ensure that journalists retain access to the courts and to the information they need to keep the public informed.
The Charter outlines how courts and tribunals provide designated seating in courtrooms for journalists and that Wi-Fi is made available to them so they can report live on social media platforms or news websites.
Details of the protocol for sharing court lists, documents and defendant information with the media are also included.
John Battle, Head of Legal and Compliance at ITN and President of the Media Lawyers Association, said:
The Charter is a significant step forward. It brings together in a single document the fundamental rights that reporters enjoy when reporting to the courts.
The Charter will help court reporters fulfill their essential role of informing the public about the justice system. It is fundamental for justice, the rule of law and democracy that the courts are reported.
Dawn Alford, executive director of the Society of Editors, said:
The Society of Editors welcomes today’s launch of the Reporters’ Charter which will no doubt become an invaluable tool for journalists and court staff and ensure that the rights of reporters to attend court and receive documents are better recognized and applied in practice.
We congratulate the Media Lawyers Association and HMCTS on this achievement. The Society is pleased to endorse, promote and distribute the Charter.
Notes to Editors
- The Reporters’ Charter is available on GOV.UK and the Society of Editors website
- Decisions about whether a hearing is public or private and whether to observe remotely rest with independent judges.
