Sensitive reporting in coroners' courts
Date: 14 January 2009
Our proposals for coroner reform aim to improve the way the coroner system meets the needs of the bereaved while also serving the public interest.
As an alternative to legislating on reporting restrictions, we published a discussion paper on 27 March 2008 on whether the Press Complaints Commission's code of conduct might be refined to ensure an appropriate emphasis on the need for sensitive reporting of coroners' cases. The discussion paper also considered what more could be done to increase public awareness about the code and the possible presence of the press at inquests.
There were 17 responses to the discussion paper. In the light of the comments, it was agreed that there would be no general provision on reporting restrictions in the Coroners and Justice Bill. However, the government will continue to work with the Coroners' Society, the Press Complaints Commission, the voluntary sector and others to bring the code of practice to the attention of bereaved families when it is known that an inquest is to take place.
- Sensitive reporting in coroners' courts - response to comments (PDF 0.12mb 25 pages)