Victoria Courts Issue Most Suppression Orders, Threatening Press Freedom

0:00Stay informed in two minutes or less with Adelaide News today from the Daily News Now. Victoria Courts issued more suppression orders than anywhere else in Australia last year. They handed down 521 orders, which was 47 percent of the national total of 1113. That means more than one order per day, on average in the state. Other states trailed far behind, with South Australia's second at 308 in New South Wales at 133. These orders block media from reporting court details, like names of the accused, to protect fair trials or victims under the Open Courts Act. Journalists and editors worry this trend hurts, open justice, and public trust. Researchers from Monash University call it a crisis for press freedom, saying orders often favor wealthy people who can afford top lawyers to stay out. Of the news, high profile cases highlight the issue, like the Cardinal George Pell Trial in 2018, and the recent rape conviction of Tom Sovagni, son of a famous AFL family.

1:01Media face pines are had to use vague descriptions during those suppressed reports. Now, major news outlets are pushing for a review of the laws and a new media freedom act. Experts agree some orders protect lives, like in gang cases, but not just reputations of the rich. This story is shared with support from our sponsor. Podcasts hit different when the sound comes from your pillow. To try it, it just makes sense. S-O-L-I. solely pillow dot com.