Broadcasters could be prejudicing trials because of vague guidelines full of legal jargon. The fear arose during a plea yesterday to reword codes of practice in the hope broadcasters, particularly talk show hosts, would not hinder the impartiality of the courts. The Broadcasting Authority's committee on codes of practice endorsed the plan, citing recent incidents where talk show hosts criticised people arrested for a crime before they were proven guilty. It is feared jurors and judges could be influenced as well as innocent people being defamed. Committee members said presenters might not fully understand the jargon referring to prejudice and contempt of court in broadcasting guidelines, which, they said, should be worded in 'layman's terms'. 'It is up to the courts to decide if a case has been prejudiced and to take action, but from our point of view we want to make sure we set the right guidelines for the broadcasters to understand and follow,' said chairman Clement Tao Kwok-lau. During the meeting, the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority rejected fears from several members that the regulations were 'straitjacketing the media'. Assistant Commissioner for Broadcasting Theresa Wong Chun-lei said: 'When people exercise freedom of speech it should not influence the impartiality of the court.' The plan goes to the Broadcasting Authority for approval this month.
