The Newsroom

Cliff Richard High Court Case

High court ruling due 18/7 (page 9 onwards) (April 2018)

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BM
BM11
Could have some big impacts on reporting of criminal investigations as well as possibly leading to resignations at the BBC if it goes against them. If the case ends up at the Supreme Court (which is plausible judging by how important it could be) then live coverage of the hearing could be shown.
Last edited by BM11 on 12 April 2018 6:12pm
BR
Brekkie
There are two issues here IMO and the reporting is somewhat secondary and there are definately pros and cons of not naming suspects until they're charged, though of course obvious practical issues (if someone is on the run they would need to be named and that's before they're charged).


The main issue though IMO is the police getting a broadcaster on board in the first place for a raid such as this. I can kind of see the justification for an early morning drugs raid where it's far more about the operation rather than the individual suspects, but was ridiculous in this case the BBC were tipped off to the extent they had a helicopter on board to cover it, which of course meant the money invested in covering the story was reflected in how much their coverage was dominated by it, even though in the end the story came to nothing.
VM
VMPhil
Interesting detail regarding the BBC's use of the helicopter:



BM
BM11
I can't see Fran Unsworth surviving the media onslaught - she was in charge that day. Print Media will run with aspect more because Newspapers wont want to lose their ability to name.
BR
Brekkie
Will be interesting to see how the press play it actually - they've done much worse over the years and as you say will want to defend their own "free speech" in the "public interest", but BBC bashing is for many their favourite game. Would actually be quite satisfying to see them batter the BBC on this and then have to suffer the consequences of any change in legislation, though I suspect like it seems like Leveson a few words from the usual suspect will ensure they're never implemented and instead of changing rules across the industry the conclusion will be if the BBC have money to spend on helicopters the licence fee needs to be cut.
BM
BM11
Will be interesting to see how the press play it actually - they've done much worse over the years and as you say will want to defend their own "free speech" in the "public interest", but BBC bashing is for many their favourite game. Would actually be quite satisfying to see them batter the BBC on this and then have to suffer the consequences of any change in legislation, though I suspect like it seems like Leveson a few words from the usual suspect will ensure they're never implemented and instead of changing rules across the industry the conclusion will be if the BBC have money to spend on helicopters the licence fee needs to be cut.

I imagine they force Fran Unsworth out of her job - possibly others as well.
SP
Steve in Pudsey
Can I gently suggest that speculating on the outcome of a live court case may not be the cleverest of things to do?
CI
cityprod
Can I gently suggest that speculating on the outcome of a live court case may not be the cleverest of things to do?


They’re not speculating on the outcome of the case itself, but on the aftermath of the outcome, which might not be that much different whichever way the case actually goes.

Whatever the result of the actual case in court, the aftermath of it is going to be far more interesting.
BM
BM11
Also it's not a jury case so rules are different.
BM
BM11
Later next week , acording to Radio 4, senior BBC figures are taking the stand but not sure who yet. Su
I forsee the BBC becoming ultra cautious and just totally ignoring newspaper and other networks reports on similar cases rather than mentioning what has been reported elsewhere. Similar not reporting on reports of a super injunction.
MI
m_in_m
BM11 posted:
Later next week , acording to Radio 4, senior BBC figures are taking the stand but not sure who yet. Su
I forsee the BBC becoming ultra cautious and just totally ignoring newspaper and other networks reports on similar cases rather than mentioning what has been reported elsewhere. Similar not reporting on reports of a super injunction.

If that were to become the case that could have serious impact on openness and transparency in society. You can imagine if the BBC takes this approach others in broadcast media might consider the same.
BM
BM11
I can forsee legislation being passed to clarify whatever the case - and possibly no naming in many crimes, such as Sexual offences, until conviction not just charged.

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