Newspaper group asks MPs to open Family Court doors

By KEVIN TAYLOR political reporter

The Commonwealth Press Union wants the Family Court to be open to the media.

In a submission to Parliament's justice and electoral select committee, the CPU argued for greater openness than the Care of Children Bill was proposing.

Reporters are banned from the Family Court, but the bill proposes allowing cases to be covered with the court's permission.

The identity of any child or other party in a case cannot be published.

But the submission, delivered by Gavin Ellis, Commonwealth Press Union New Zealand section chairman and Herald editor-in-chief, argued for even greater openness than the bill proposed. It said that because the Government's clear intention was to relax restrictions on publication, the bill should make clear that reporters had a right to be present in court and could report proceedings, subject to the bill's other restrictions.

And Mr Ellis said that in some situations there might be public interest in identifying the parties involved.

Noting a call by Child, Youth and Family for greater public vigilance in reporting cases of child abuse, he said that vigilance could be enhanced by publication of cases involving violence and those relating to warrants to provide day-to-day care for a child.

"These are matters where public awareness could be beneficial," he said. "In such cases, identification would be necessary."

The bill will replace the Guardianship Act of 1968, and places an increased focus on the welfare of the children.

The CPU submission was supported by the Television Broadcasters Council, the Radio Broadcasters Association and the Magazine Publishers Association.