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Contempt
of court
This
preserves the integrity of the legal process and safeguards
the dignity of the court.
The greatest risk to the reporter is by publishing
material which might sway a juror and thereby prejudice a fair
trial.
The
journalist can also be in contempt by publishing anything
which interferes with the course of justice or by his or her
conduct. If the editor is found to be breaching a court order,
this can also result in contempt.
Section 2 of
the Contempt of Court Act 1981 limited the operation of strict
liability. Now a person can only be found guilty of contempt
by publication, regardless of intent, where:
A
substantial risk of serious prejudice or impediment to
proceedings is caused.
And where
proceedings are active.
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