{"id":2080,"date":"2011-05-05T22:31:00","date_gmt":"2011-05-05T22:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gpsj.flyingatom.everycity.co.uk\/2011\/05\/press-releases-about-court-stories\/"},"modified":"2011-05-05T22:31:00","modified_gmt":"2011-05-05T22:31:00","slug":"press-releases-about-court-stories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gpsj.co.uk\/?p=2080","title":{"rendered":"Press releases about court stories"},"content":{"rendered":"

Press releases about court stories<\/b><\/p>\n

Many public authorities, charities and businesses issue press releases, or post stories online, about court cases they have won.<\/p>\n

These can be legally dangerous. Here are some safeguards:<\/p>\n

1.\tYou should aim to cover the case yourself, rather than pick up information from colleagues etc.
\n2.\tCourt reports are covered by absolute privilege, which is an IMMUNITY to a libel action, provided:
\ni.\tYour report must be fair \u2013 give both sides, especially if key allegations are denied.
\nii.\tIt should be published straight away.
\n3.\tIt must be accurate \u2013 check name spellings, ages, addresses (don’t give house numbers), job titles, the charge and the plea. If a court case is wrong and appears on your website, or has been published as a press release, you may lose privilege.
\n4.\tIt may be libellous if you add other material \u2013 eg quotes \u2013 to the court report. Additional material is not usually privileged.
\n5.\tIf you don’t cover the case yourself, stick to the bare facts.<\/p>\n

Dangers<\/b><\/p>\n

There may be strict restrictions on reporting court cases. Court cases should always be covered by someone who is experienced in this field. Mistakes can be costly \u2013 they may even be criminal offences.<\/p>\n

Three safety-first rules are:<\/p>\n

1.\tDo NOT name under-18s, or use their ages, addresses, schools, colleges, workplaces, or any details that could lead to their ID.
\n2.\tCHECK ages of defendants, witnesses etc \u2013 they may be under 18. If they are, see 1 above.
\n3.\tDo NOT name anyone who claims they have been a victim of ANY sexually-related offence, or use their ages, addresses, schools, colleges, workplaces, or any details that could lead to their ID.
\n4.\tCHECK if a defendant faces another trial \/ case. Reporting ONE trial could prejudice the NEXT one.
\nCourt stories published by public authorities and councils <\/p>\n

Court stories published by public authorities, councils and some charities are seen as PRESS RELEASES \u2013 and, from the media’s point of view, are covered by qualified privilege.<\/p>\n

This means they are protected from libel actions arising from publishing your release \u2013 even if it is wrong. You may have included wrong facts or inaccurate quotes.<\/p>\n

The media are NOT in any danger here. But they may have to publish a correction \/ clarification.<\/p>\n

Cleland Thom delivers media law training and consultancy to a number of corporation and public authorities, including GPSJ, United Utilities, World Trade Group, Herts County Council, London Borough of Brent and Three Rivers District Council.<\/b><\/p>\n

workshops.ctjt.biz\/workshop\/media_law_consultancy.html<\/a>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many public authorities, charities and businesses issue press releases, or post stories online, about court cases they have won. <\/p>\n

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