Restrictions on news coverage of legal affairs

Trials and other legal proceedings, including legislative sessions, may be closed to news media. The closing of legislatures involves broadcasting media for the most part, while the closure of trials and other proceedings may involve all media. Fair hearing may not be given to cases where the procedure is not open to public scrutiny. Secret trials are usually political, but other hearings which may set a precedent in the interpretation of the law may be closed and the issue may not be recognized as such until a precedent is set, usually in favour of the authorities. Corruption may continue and government control may be strengthened because of public ignorance and apathy.