Scribes facing contempt charges over Pell trial defend their work

Three dozen Australian journalists and media outlets facing contempt of court allegations over their coverage of Cardinal George Pell’s child sexual abuse trial defended their position yesterday, saying the case could have a “chilling” effect on open justice and democracy. The legal battle over their coverage is unprecedented in Australian history. The first, purely administrative, directions hearing took place yesterday before the state’s Supreme Court in Melbourne. Ex-Vatican treasurer Pell was sentenced in March to six years in prison for sexually assaulting two choirboys. Reporting on his legal proceedings in any format accessible in Australia was banned under a court suppression order last year to prevent a second trial — which was later dropped — from being influenced by the first trial. State prosecutors hold that the journalists did not fully follow the court suppression order and allege that the media outlets and journalists prejudiced and interfered with “due administration of justice.” The journalists face prison or a fine for contempt of court, aiding and abetting overseas media, breaching a suppression order, and for publishing materials that “had the effect of scandalising the court.” The state of Victoria’s director of public prosecutions has named 23 journalists, news editors, radio and television hosts and 13 media outlets. None of those facing the allegations appeared at the court. They were represented jointly by two lawyers. “The proceedings raise very serious allegations against 13 media organisations. It is as significant as it gets in terms of convictions,” lawyer Matthew Collins, who is representing the media, told the court yesterday, according to

The Age newspaper. The paper’s news editor is among those facing charges.