Why media can't report on Children’s Court cases

Australian Community Media

Strict laws across Australia prevent the media from reporting on most Children’s Court cases, especially those involving young offenders. This video includes ACM-produced voiceover powered by AI.

Transcript

00:00As youth crime cases surge in Australia, children's court cases are subject to tight

00:05legal restrictions that limit what the media can report. These courts deal with cases involving

00:12minors, including young people accused of crimes or in need of protection. To shield children from

00:18lifelong stigma and protect their rehabilitation prospects, nearly all states and territories

00:24enforce laws that ban the publication of names, photographs and identifying details. In many

00:31cases, even mentioning the existence of proceedings is prohibited, and breaching these laws can

00:36carry serious penalties, including fines and contempt charges. The goal of these reporting

00:43restrictions is to ensure young people receive a fair chance at rehabilitation without scrutiny.

00:50Journalists must wait until a case is transferred to an adult court, or until specific suppression

00:57orders are lifted before reporting more freely.

Category

Transcript

Recommended