Media on trial in Pell gag case

Dozens of journalists, editors and media organisations have faced their first day on trial over allegations they breached a gag order in reporting on George Pell.

Dozens of journalists, editors and media organisations have faced their first day on trial over allegations they breached a gag order in reporting on George Pell’s child sex assault convictions almost two years ago.

Crown prosecutors on Monday outlined more than 100 charges against 30 news outlets and individuals who they allege breached a suppression order following the jury’s guilty verdict against the cardinal in December 2018.

Pell, who spent 13 months in prison, was acquitted of all charges following an appeal in the High Court in April this year.

Reporting on the trial’s outcome was banned anywhere in Australia as Pell was due to face a second separate trial three months later. The second trial was later dropped.

Despite the nationwide suppression order, international news outlets including The Washington Post and Daily Beast published reports on Pell’s conviction shortly after the verdict.

They have not been charged with any breaches.

During the first day of the trial, which is expected to last up to 15 days, prosecutor Lisa De Ferrari argued some of the media reporting “encouraged” the public to seek out the overseas reporting.

Lawyers for the defendants are yet to present their case.

Herald Sun