Hong Kong live streams first court hearing under pilot scheme
Scheme, which starts this month, seeks to formalise broadcast arrangement, increase transparency, bolster public trust in judicial process.
Hong Kong has live streamed the first court hearing under a two-year pilot scheme starting this month that seeks to formalise the broadcast arrangement, increase transparency and bolster public trust in the judicial process.
Viewers of the 10am session could watch the live stream by accessing the court’s website, but must first had to agree to several terms including a requirement not to modify, record, reproduce or publish the content unless with the judiciary’s written consent.
The Courts (Remote Hearing) Ordinance came into force on March 28 barring the unauthorised recording and publication of legal proceedings. Offenders face a maximum penalty of five years in jail and a HK$100,000 (US$12,900) fine.
The live broadcast could not be played back immediately, with the top court’s website indicating the video would only become available on Tuesday morning. The playback will be removed from the website a month later.
The hearing arose from a civil dispute among residents at a Yuen Long indigenous village concerning the right of way on private land.