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The broadcasting proposals follow the result of a public consultation on the issue which has been released by the Department of Justice. Confirming the plans, the minister explained the changes would "simply provide another way for journalists to cover proceedings on which they can already report". "Allowing broadcasting in courts will increase transparency and allow the public to view decisions being made by the judiciary in Northern Ireland," Long said. "This can only be a good thing, however, I am aware some respondents to the public consultation did express concerns about the impact of the proposals on victims and children." The justice minister explained that existing reporting restrictions "will continue to apply regardless of how proceedings are reported upon". Under the plans, individual judges would have the power to allow or refuse permission to broadcast the outcome of cases they preside over. "This is not about turning our courts into livestream entertainment; it is about improving public confidence in our justice system and, as always, victims and witnesses will remain at the heart of everything we do," Long said.
