[naturalman1975]

There was a suppression order on reporting any details of the trial - ostensibly to ensure Cardinal Pell received fair trials, given the Witch Hunt atmosphere.

When the verdict was announced, it was published overseas (the ability of Australian courts to prevent overseas news outlets from publishing anything being pretty much non existent) but it remained a crime for any journalist or media organisation to publish any details here.

Many news organisations sought to get around the ban by publishing articles that said somebody (who they would not name) had been convicted of a crime they could not identify - such as this front page of the country's largest circulation newspaper:

While some others blatantly violated and printed details.

The gag order is now lifted (or I wouldn't be posting this - I'm classed as a journalist under the laws so I was subjected to it, and though I objected to the suppression order, I followed it).

[Mrs. Don-o]

But is the govt really suppressing reporting in order to protect the defendant's rights --- as they claim --- or to protect their system of marsupial "justice".

(I am referring of course to the kangaroo courts.)

[Lurker]

What marinade was used on the grilled policemen? Just asking for a friend...

L

[Gay State Conservative]

The gag order is now lifted (or I wouldn't be posting this - I'm classed as a journalist under the laws so I was subjected to it, and though I objected to the suppression order, I followed it).

About a year ago I attended a couple of days of a big Mafia trial in Boston. It was a Federal trial rather than a state (Massachusetts) one.Federal trials are a big deal being ultimately managed from DC. On several occasions the defense lawyer made specific references to all the publicity the defendants had received over the years.

There were "civilians",like myself,in attendance as were members of the Press...the Press being interested due to the fact that the defendants were associated with "Whitey" Bulger,a very well known (and deadly) gangster here in the US.

Not that I'm en expert in such things but it's tough for me to understand how countries like Britain,Canada and Australia can muzzle the Press in the way they do.

Just sayin'...I suppose that if I had a deeper understanding of the law I might think differently.