Seminar on Court Reporting, the Public and the Press Ombudsman Highlights Ethical Challenges and Media Responsibility
On 29 April, the Office of the Press Ombudsman held a seminar titled Court Reporting, the
Public and the Press Ombudsman at Trinity College Dublin’s Long Room Hub. The event
brought together journalists, legal experts, academics, and members of the public to discuss
the ethical considerations of court reporting, its public interest value, and the potential impact
on those involved.
The seminar was hosted by Professor Bruce Shapiro, Executive Director of the Dart Center
for Journalism and Trauma at Columbia University, and Susan McKay, Press
Ombudsperson. Opening the event, McKay stated, “Court reporting is a vital part of public
interest journalism. However, publications need to consider its impact on those involved
when making editorial decisions. We are happy to have brought about this conversation
between the public, the press and lawyers.”
Professor Neville Cox, Registrar and Professor of Law and Morality at Trinity College Dublin,
addressed the importance of ethical self-regulation for journalists to maintain public trust,
referencing the European Court of Human Rights’ characterisation of journalists as the
‘bloodhounds and watchdogs’ of society. Solicitor and former Coroner for Mayo, Patrick
O’Connor, offered insights into the inquest process and the coroner’s role.
A panel discussion chaired by Ms Justice Siobhán Phelan, High Court Judge, featured
perspectives from the media and legal experts. Cormac Bourke, Editor-in-Chief of Mediahuis
Ireland, emphasised the necessity of press freedom in court reporting. Isabel Hayes,
Director of CCC Nuacht Courts Reporting Agency, noted a cultural shift towards more
considerate court coverage, while Carol Coulter, Director of the Child Law Project, discussed
the complexities of reporting from family courts. Coulter stressed the distinction between
content being “of public interest” versus “in the public interest.”
The seminar heard from people who had been personally affected by court reporting.
This session heard moving and compelling accounts of their experiences. Aoife Bradley
discussed media coverage of the inquest into her father’s death, while Patrick Quinn shared
his experiences as a former prisoner. Niamh Ní Dhómhnaill reflected on waiving anonymity
as a sexual assault victim and suggested that victims of sexual assault be given an idea of
what to expect when they waive their anonymity before they decide to do so. She also spoke
about the importance of considering the function and the relevance of reporting graphic
accounts of sexual assault. Tadhg Evans, a journalist who also experienced the inquest
process as a bereaved family member, spoke on the difficult balance between public interest
and family privacy.
“When we encounter human suffering and greet it with our best
professional toolkit, we not only enhance the credibility of journalism but also support the
well-being of journalists.”
The seminar also addressed the emotional toll of court reporting on journalists themselves.
Professor Shapiro shared insights from his work at the Dart Centre for Journalism and
Trauma, discussing the challenges of compassion fatigue and the need for support systems
for those frequently covering traumatic cases.
In the closing panel, Mary Crilly, Director of Cork Sexual Violence Centre, discussed the
progress made in the portrayal of victims over the past three decades. Sinéad O’Carroll,
Editor of thejournal.ie, addressed the challenges of editorial judgment in the digital age,
particularly regarding misinformation and content integrity.
Reflecting on the discussions, Professor Shapiro emphasised the importance of thoughtful,
ethical journalism, saying, “When we encounter human suffering and greet it with our best
professional toolkit, we not only enhance the credibility of journalism but also support the
well-being of journalists.”
