The Department’s Media Unit manages media enquiries for the following courts and tribunals:
Contact: localcourtmedia@courts.nsw.gov.au or (02) 9716 2804.
Contact: localcourtmedia@courts.nsw.gov.au or (02) 9716 2804.
Contact: mediadistrictcourt@justice.nsw.gov.au
Contact: media@courts.nsw.gov.au or (02) 9230 8190
The media must comply with legislation about the publication of court proceedings.
In New South Wales, court and tribunal hearings are generally open to the media, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television and digital media.
However, the media may not take photographs, make electronic or digital sound recordings or film within court or tribunal precincts without special permission. The media may also not publish or broadcast photographs, sound recordings or film taken within the court or tribunal precincts without permission.
See: Media recording of court proceedings policy (PDF , 45.6 KB)
Journalists are permitted to use mobile phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs) in court for electronic note taking, text messaging or emailing.
The mobile phone or PDA must be switched to silent and no verbal communication can be made. The court must not be disrupted in any way.
Mobile phones or PDAs can be used in court only by journalists who:
See: Policy for use of mobile telephones or PDAs in courtrooms (PDF , 38.6 KB)
In some sensitive cases, media representatives may be excluded from court proceedings. This is known as a closed court. It is up to the judge or magistrate to decide whether to close the court.
The judge can also make an order preventing the media from telling anyone about all or any part of the evidence.
The media may not identify children involved in any court hearing. Children are defined as people under the age of 18 years old. In New South Wales the media may also not identify people who were children at the time an offence was committed. This law also applies to missing and deceased children.
Media representatives can apply to access court documents and files. Please contact the relevant court or media contact for each jurisdiction.
The media must comply with legislation regarding publishing personal identifying information.
See: Identity theft and anonymisation policy (PDF , 222.2 KB)
Media representatives should seek legal advice from their own organisations on what is considered contempt of court.
As a broad guideline, the media should not:
Contempt of court is a complex legal area and you should consult your own legal representative.
Community Justice Centre mediations are confidential and not open to the media.
Find the latest media releases of the Department of Communities and Justice.
03 Dec 2023
We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work and we pay respect to the Elders, past, present and future.