ABSTRACT
Society has an expectation that judicial matters are dealt with fairly and appropriately. Yet some cases trigger substantial public curiosity in traditional and social media. Most citizens – including many communication professionals – do not understand fully the risks that can arise when discussing matters before a court. There have been examples of social media commentary causing cases to be dismissed, reinforcing the need to assess legal and organisational risks in posting and hosting material about court matters. This chapter considers the implications for journalists and citizen journalists who write and blog; communication managers (particularly those who work in not-for-profit industries where they feel they should contribute to public discussion about matters and sentences); social media influencers and activists who engage and shape online discussion.
