Journalists will soon be able to live tweet Western Australian court proceedings under a new policy announced by Supreme Court of Western Australia Chief Justice Wayne Martin.
From next week journalists and lawyers will be able to use devices connected to the Internet from inside WA courtrooms, subject to any directions from the presiding judge. The new policy covers the Supreme, Family, District, Magistrates and Children’s Courts, and the State Administrative Tribunal.
Members of the public are still unable use mobile phones, laptops, etc inside the state’s courtrooms, and the ban on recording court proceedings remains in place.
“A fundamental principle of our justice system is that it is open and accountable, and journalists play an important role in ensuring the public learns what happens inside our courts”, said Chief Justice Martin.
“Tweeting results from inside the courtroom assists journalists to provide an immediate, fair and accurate account of court cases.”
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