IN-DEPTH: How Social Media Has Undermined Britain’s Legal Safeguards for Fair Trials

The law surrounding reporting on criminal trials has not changed for forty years, but the advent of the internet and social media have changed the landscape of all recognition. In June 2022, the Law Commission of England and Wales was asked by the government to review the law on contempt of court and, “consider reform to improve its effectiveness, consistency, and coherence.” The current legislation restricting what can and cannot be said about criminal proceedings is the Contempt of Court Act, which dates from 1981. But the Law Commission said, “There are also growing concerns about the impact of social media and technological advancements on the administration of justice.”...