A judge yesterday rejected a newspaper's bid to halt a sex discrimination case on the grounds its hearing had been prejudiced by a 'trial by media' initiated by the Equal Opportunities Commission.
But District Court Judge Wong Hing-chun ruled the commission had 'wrongfully interfered with the due administration of justice' by prejudicing the case it had filed against Apple Daily.
The newspaper was being prosecuted over a job advertisement on May 9 last year seeking 'pretty reporters to cover balls and show business'.
Judge Wong said the commission had invited the media to publish discussions on the case. But in its eagerness to educate the public it had encouraged a 'prejudiced impression' on an issue it had asked the courts to adjudicate on, she said.
'Such conduct may amount to a contempt of court; however, I am not concerned with this aspect here. It is for the Secretary for Justice to take up the matter if it is thought appropriate,' she said.
Rejecting the newspaper's bid, she said 'Judges in the District Court in Hong Kong are professional, trained judges who should not be influenced by anything published by the media.' Lawyer Wong Hing-lee, for Apple Daily, argued the newspaper was the victim of trial by media. Mr Wong said the commission had orchestrated the pre-trial publicity by giving comments and material to the media. He said such conduct had denied the paper a fair hearing.
