Gulf | Bahrain
Journalists up in arms over new privacy rules
A decision to restrict the access of journalists to legal case documents has set them on a collision course with the courts.
- By Habib Toumi, Bureau chief
- Published: 23:28 October 13, 2008
Manama: A decision to restrict the access of journalists to legal case documents has set them on a collision course with the courts.
The justice ministry on Sunday attributed its decision not to allow reporters to read trial documents to its determination to preserve the privacy of the defendants.
"The new system has been introduced to guarantee the privacy of the people involved in the trial case."
"We do appreciate the journalists' eagerness to obtain information about the case, but we do need to secure privacy at the same time," Justice Ministry undersecretary Salem Al Kawari told the media.
However, court reporters slammed the new system, saying it was a step backwards and that it would hamper their work and limit their ability to follow cases.
"There are often several trials going on at the same time in various courts, and it will be physically impossible to follow them. The habit of having access to the legal documents allowed us to follow the cases and report on their details, backgrounds and developments. "Now, with the new measures, it will be simply impossible," said Rasha Ebrahim, a reporter for the daily Al Ayam.
"We cannot be the knowledgeable witnesses that the public expects us to be when we report on trials," she said.
Oral briefing
Under the new system, journalists either attend the trials or wait for a short oral briefing by justice officials.
"This means that there will be only selected information read out to the journalists, which will not help us much because we want greater details than the usual charges and verdicts."
"This eliminates any information about the background to the case which we used to get easily through the documents made available to all journalists," said Rasha.
Crime reporters said that the justice ministry had no reason to introduce the new system, stressing that the media has been openly cooperative.
News Editor's choice
-
UAE upholds values of free trade
Recently released statistics confirm an established fact, namely that of the UAE embracing the free trade principle in general and imports in particular
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Children killed in Syria attack
World condemns latest Syrian horror as monitors find bodies of 32 children among 92 killed
