Courtroom participants forbidden to broadcast trials

BEIJING - Participants or bystanders in legal proceedings cannot record or videotape trials, nor can they broadcast the court's activities live via e-mail, microblog or other forms of media, China's top court said Monday.

Journalists who have permission from the courts are still allowed to report on trials, according to a judicial interpretation of the amended Criminal Procedure Law issued by the Supreme People's Court (SPC).

Participants are also forbidden from applauding or taking other actions that could disturb the trial, according to the interpretation.

The prohibition is aimed at ensuring proper trial procedure and guarding litigants' rights, according to an unnamed SPC official.

Some courtroom participants have used computers or mobile phones to broadcast trials, disturbing the independent and fair judgment of the courts, the official said.

Such practices also indicate that some participants have not fully concentrated on the legal matters at hand, violating professional ethics and impairing the legitimate rights and interests of the litigants, the official added.

The chief judge has the right to seize media or equipment used by participants to broadcast trials without permission, according to the interpretation.

The lengthy interpretation  mainly targets newly added or revised provisions of the amended law and explains relevant provisions that need to be further defined, according to a statement from the SPC.

The statement said the interpretation will help courts to better adapt to the new law and ensure clients' rights.

It also rectifies or clears previous provisions that were problematic, the SPC said.

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