Suppression order failed to block overseas reports

More than 140 international news stories about George Pell’s verdict were published within 24 hours of his conviction last year.

 

More than 140 international news reports about Cardinal George Pell’s guilty verdict were published within 24 hours of his conviction last December, despite strict suppression orders.

Dozens of Australian reporters, editors and publications have been sent letters from Victoria’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Kerri Judd QC, threatening them with contempt-of-court proceedings.

While Australian media outlets did not name Pell or the charges for which he had been convicted on December 11, international publications, including The Washington Post and The Daily Beast, reported the verdict in full, with media monitoring agency Streem recording 144 “global news articles” in 24 hours.

That information then flowed to social media.

Media lawyer Justin Quill of M+K Lawyers, whose clients include The Australian, said the Pell case was a “perfect storm” of suppression orders being ignored online by international media and private individuals.

“The problem is, with this unusual case that attracts such international notoriety, the international media organisations published,” Mr Quill said. “That meant individuals in Australia, on Facebook and Twitter and other social media, were talking about it and the only people who were not talking about it was the mainstream media in Australia.

“This case is the perfect storm to demonstrate the law hasn’t kept up with developments in social media.’’

Peter Bartlett, who represents The Age and several international media outlets such as the BBC and CNN, which did not report on the conviction for Australian audiences until yesterday, said suppression orders had become common in Victoria: “Suppression orders are simply out of control. That said, it’s understandable why the Pell suppression order was made, because clearly reporting of the conviction in the first trial would prejudice the second trial if it went ahead.’’