Crime journalism: Barriers in Ireland

There is a tremendous fascination with crime in Ireland. The public appetite is insatiable. However, crime reporters face numerous barriers in their quest to disclose information. The sub judice rule must be adhered to, various reporting restrictions must also be taken into consideration, while sources must be handled sensitively. Care must be taken when reporting on jury trials in order to ensure that commentary does not impact on a jury’s decision. Crime reporters regularly encounter difficulties in their efforts to access information. In my article, I will write about the various reporting restrictions that apply when it comes to crime reporting in Ireland. I will bring in references to some of my own experiences of reporting in this area and I will make recommendations on changes that could be made in this area.