+- Twitist Forums (http://twitist.com)
+-- Forum: General Social Media & Marketing Forums (/forum-8.html)
+--- Forum: General Social Media questions (/forum-9.html)
+--- Thread: Has the Contempt of Court act changed because of the digital age? (/thread-128524.html)
Has the Contempt of Court act changed because of the digital age? - Emily - 04-08-2014 04:57 AM
I am yet to find anything on this issue, specifically would like information on the UK. Have there been any updates for act, due to the progression of online social media sites?.
Any sources would be great.
Thanks !
- Andi - 04-08-2014 05:04 AM
Oh yes..
there is a proposal to make it a CRIMINAL offence
to search online while a juror...... (!!!)
which seems an amazing over reaction and unlikely to stop it occuring, as it usually happens naturally.
It is already contempt of court to discuss the case (in any means/ form) during the case, and jurors discussions (at any time) so social media is already automatically covered...
and what (seriously) is the difference between knowing something before teh trial and finding the same information during it. In both cases, you are promising to use only the information presented 'as fact' in the case. not any other information you may know.
Rmemeber, original trials were in villages / towns etc,
so everyone would know lots of gossip and extra knowledge...
why should it have changed ?
proposal to Criminalise Online use in trials
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10620463/Jail-terms-for-jurors-who-research-cases-on-internet.html Feb 2014
BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25210867
and recently discussed on BBC radio 4, Law in Action programme
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03xf0gf - downloadable / listen again
http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/call-for-contempt-jurors-to-face-new-crime/5039157.article
http://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/nov/28/law-commission-reform-contempt-laws - Nov 2012