University of Salford Journalism director calls for court reforms to prevent the decline of open justice

The University of Salford Director of Journalism has called for more protections and greater freedoms for journalists within courts.

Richard Jones, Director of Journalism, Politics and Contemporary History at the University of Salford, has made a series of new recommendations in his new book, Reporting The Courts.

This to ensure the hallowed practise of court reporting remains viable, and to make sure the press benches don’t “empty any further”.

There are calls for better access to video hearings, updated judicial information for the media, and that journalists should be allowed to take photos and make audio recordings.

Richard outlines in his book how the photography ban in courts dates back to the Criminal Justice Act 1925, before television existed, and is not fit for purpose in 2024.

Richard states: “Court reporting represents the best traditions of local journalism, scrutinising the work of the criminal justice system in depth in a style accessible to a broad readership.

“The work of the court reporter is even more valuable in an era when the financial squeeze on journalism has had impacts elsewhere.”

“Slashed newsdesk budgets make it harder for agencies and freelancers to sustain themselves on court copy alone.”

Richard continued: “I’m worried unless we make it easier for newspaper and other court reporters to do their jobs, the more routine coverage we still have of cases large and small might wither away.

“Without them, open justice would become virtually closed, and we would be left with one-sided accounts provided by occasional police press releases.”

In addition Richard outlined how podcasting has been a critical medium in recent years, as journalists use voice actors to bring the courtroom to life.

He also argues the decision to outlaw sound broadcasting of criminal cases is also outdated and is based on old fashioned concerns about the noise of clunky tape recorders.

Richard added: “Politicians, judges, legal figures – and yes, editors too – often talk a good game about open justice. It’s time to take steps to help make sure our press benches don’t empty any further.”

Richards book, Reporting The courts, published by Routledge, is available for purchase. More information can be found here.