guardian.co.uk
Added: Feb 9, 2012
Social media undoubtedly poses a challenge for enforcement, but the Contempt of Court Act is a sound piece of legislation
It is not always easy to balance freedom of expression with the needs of the justice system. As attorney general I see my role as defender both of press freedom and of the fair administration of justice. And it is as guardian of the public interest, not a government minister, that I act in cases of contempt: protecting the right of a defendant to a fair trial is clearly and compellingly in the public interest.
In the UK system, the Contempt of Court Act is part of the apparatus that protects this right, by limiting what can be published about a case while it is live, so that allegations that are not relevant or not tested in court do not form part of a juror's consideration. Other jurisdictions have different ways of endeavouring to protect this right (for example, some – including many in the US – practice jury selection).