“Media’s role in ‘Open Justice’ is essential for transparency” – Chancellor

In a compelling address to Guyanese media professionals, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards underscored the importance of open court cases for journalists, emphasising the role they play in maintaining transparency and accountability within the justice system.
She was at the time addressing a one-day press engagement hosted by the Supreme Court of the Judicature in collaboration with the Guyana Press Association (GPA) on Saturday.
“Courts are open, it’s open justice, and everyone must have access to courts, and must have access to what goes on to the court. Except for those in court seven and those restrictions which the law provides for.”

She elaborated on how the presence of journalists in courtrooms ensures that the judicial process remains under public scrutiny. This oversight acts as a safeguard against arbitrariness and ensures that justice is not only done but seen to be done.
“The importance of your work cannot be overemphasised, some members of the public’s relatives may have an issue within the court, they will be outside of the court, others will stay outside, and others will remain at home. And how do they get to know what the court proceedings are all about? It’s through your work,” she told journalists.
The Chancellor also addressed the need for balanced reporting, stating, “Media must portray both social good and evils to fulfill their role.”
She stressed that journalism should not only highlight positive developments but also shed light on societal problems. This comprehensive approach is vital for fostering societal progress and addressing issues effectively.
In addition, the Chancellor highlighted a vast contrast between journalists in this era and the ones in earlier times, stating that there aren’t lots of Journalists in courtrooms these days.

“Journalists have that right to report on court proceedings, we are here to serve the public. We are not above the law, and you have a right of access to information with what’s going on in court, subject to the limitations where the law prohibits restrictions of certain matters.”
She added, “These days, I hardly see journalists in court. When I started out in 1988 in the Office of the Public Prosecution as a state prosecutor, I saw journalists in court. There is a special seat in court designated for journalists, just at the well of the court, as we call it, just in front of the senior Council’s table just before where the clerk of the court or the Registrar of the court sits. That is your seat. You’re entitled to it. Please come to court and please take your seat, the public defense is still around.”
Meanwhile, GPA President Nazima Raghubir in the same sentiments highlighted some of the constrictions journalists face due to the broad aspect of beats they are required to cover.
“Once you are in a newsroom here, it is more than likely you will have to cover every single issue that comes your way. Oftentimes, this has to be done at short notice.”
She added, “This is an opportunity for the journalists to not only understand the system and how it works but to use this as a yardstick deepening our knowledge about the judiciary and how you would apply this to the beats you already cover.”
The purpose of this one-day workshop was to highlight the challenges journalists face when accessing information from the judiciary and what systems can be implemented to improve their experience to foster a more transparent, efficient, and accessible justice system for media workers.