Media Guide for Reporting the Courts and Tribunals released

The Ministry of Justice today released an updated Media Guide for Reporting the Courts and Tribunals.

The guidelines, can be downloaded from the Ministry’s website will soon be available in hard copy, are an essential tool for any journalist reporting on the courts.

Secretary for Justice Andrew Bridgman said the Ministry was committed to working with media to ensure the work of the courts and court proceedings are reported accurately and fairly.

“New Zealand’s justice system is built on the integrity of its institutions, and in public trust in those institutions and the law,” he said.

“To maintain that trust our court system needs to be open and transparent.

“The media play a critical role in this, and this guide is designed to facilitate their work.”

The guide describes the roles and the responsibilities of those involved in reporting court business.

“It is important that the rules put in place are respected – these are there to ensure court processes are fair, and that justice processes can work effectively,” Mr Bridgman said.

The media guide is available at www.justice.govt.nz/media

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