Qld youth crime: Should courts be open to journalists?

A legal expert has lauded a push to open juvenile courts to journalists, while one Queensland solicitor has raised concerns about the negative impacts it could have on young offenders. What do you think? VOTE IN OUR POLL

A legal expert has lauded a push to open juvenile courts to journalists, while a Mackay solicitor has raised concerns about the negative impacts it could have on young offenders.

During Question Time Premier Steven Miles indicated new laws allowing reporters and possibly the families of victims into the children court would be introduced on the back of the alleged stabbing murder of Vyleen White at Ipswich on February 3.

Five teens, aged 15 and 16, were charged and appeared in court but only one magistrate was willing to use his discretion to open the doors for media to report on the matter.

The Daily Mercury has previously tried to gain access to the children’s court in relation to a number of matters involving youths including murder and attempted murder.

In 2021 media was blocked from attending the first mention for a 16-year-old charged over the random stabbing attack on Kaitlin Jones while she was sunbathing at Blacks Beach.

Media was again refused access to report on a committal hearing for a teen charged over the murder of Rene Latimore, whose body was found at an Ilbilbie property in August 2021. It is alleged she was murdered August 9/10.

Media was refused access to report on the committal hearing in relation to the alleged murder of Rene Latimore. Picture: Queensland Police Media

Both times media argued it was in the public interest to be able to report on the matter and both times the magistrate determined the application did not meet the test in that any reporting would not be prejudicial to the respective youth.

Mr Miles said the public “has the right to know what is going on in our court system” – the government will consult with stakeholders in relation to the new laws.

Queensland legal expert and twice former Queensland Law Society president Bill Potts said it was a welcome move but “the devil will be in the detail”.

Rene Latimore: A magistrate ruled that any reporting would on the teen charged with her murder would could be prejudicial.

“Children hold a special place in the justice system and appropriate checks and balances should be put in to protect both the identity of children and any information with might lead to their identity,” Mr Potts said.

“In 2024 the balance that was once sought to be achieved is no longer serving the public and of course the courts, the justice system must serve the public as a whole.

Koumala woman Rene Latimore Picture: Queensland Police Media

“There are cases involving significant violence, gang related activity, use of weapons … where the public’s interest in knowing what is occurring simply outweighs the issues about privacy, however you still have to protect their identity.”

Fisher Dore associate Sean Gibbs said the laws were in place to protect young people “who are extremely vulnerable in our community”.

“The evidence around youth crime that I am aware of shows that young people have excellent prospects to turn their back on a life of crime and become contributing members of the community,” he said.

“If young offenders are identified or their cases reported in the media, this may tie the young offenders to the criminal justice system and impact on their ability to move forward from their offending.”

Homicide police investigate the suspected murder of Rene Latimore at an Ilbilbie Cattle property. Photo: Daryl Wright

Under the new laws the publication of information leading to the identity of a child would still be prohibited.

However Mr Gibbs said there was a concern young offenders could suffer prejudice from their cases being reported in the media, regardless of whether their identifying information can be included.

“The prevalence of social media can result in extremely negative comments being made towards young people which can reinforce the idea in their head that they are criminals or a bad person,” Mr Gibbs said.

“This may lead to further recidivism and give the young person less chance to rehabilitate and stay out of the system.

“Young people are extremely vulnerable and impressionable, and media reporting could keep them engaged with a criminal justice system that we should be trying to keep them away from.”