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The courts in Singapore will not follow Britain's move last week to allow the media covering hearings to tweet and use hand-held devices to communicate with others outside the courtroom.

However, spokesmen for the Subordinate Courts and Supreme Court said the courts will continue to monitor the growing popularity of social-media tools even as they emphasized that the dignity and fairness of court proceedings cannot be compromised.

Lawyers like Julian Lim said tweets can lead to remarks in court going viral without the context in which they were made and this could lead to unfair conclusions by the end-user.

Communication via hand-held devices or laptops during hearings with persons outside the courtroom is currently not allowed - unless permission has been obtained from a judge or registrar.

This longstanding practice continues in leading Commonwealth countries. However, Britain departed from the norm last week when its Lord Chief Justice, Lord Igor Judge, issued guidelines on the use of live text-based communication from the courts such as mobile e-mail, social-media tools like Twitter and Internet-enabled laptops.

The new moves allow the media to use such devices in court but members of the public have to seek the court's approval.

"The most obvious purpose of permitting the use of live, text-based communication would be to enable the media to produce fair and accurate reports of the proceedings," said Lord Judge.

He added that it is presumed a media person using such means to relay reports will not pose a danger of interference with the proper administration of justice.

"Tweet as much as you like from today," he reportedly said last week.

Britain's move came after a year of consultation with its judiciary, attorney-general, Law Society and the Society of Editors, among others.

That was triggered by journalists covering the extradition hearings of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. They had asked to be allowed to tweet news of the proceedings.

The spokesman for the Subordinate Courts in Singapore said it is aware of the increasing use of Twitter and other social media by the media and public for the latest news. She noted that the media may update court proceedings online after the court is adjourned.

The Supreme Court spokesman said current rules prohibit communication with external parties during hearings without approval.

But those attending court are permitted to use notebooks to take notes of evidence and for other purposes pertaining to the proceedings as long as such use does not disrupt or trivialize the hearing.

"Technology is used to promote the efficient administration of justice and increase the productivity of the courts, lawyers and other court users to the fullest extent possible without compromising, and while safeguarding, the dignity, propriety and fairness of court proceedings," said the spokesman.

"To that end, new developments are constantly monitored and policies are carefully reviewed and formulated as necessary."

Industry players in Singapore said the courts are likely to study the concerns, consult stakeholders and see how the British experience works before contemplating any new moves.

Lim noted that last week's SMRT train breakdowns had shown the speed value of online platforms for updated news.

But reporting after the event, such as in print journalism, is more measured and allows for checks with the parties concerned, he said. "Perhaps the use of such devices can be limited to exceptional cases," he added.

Reprinted courtesy of Straits Times Indonesia. To subscribe to Straits Times Indonesia and/or the Jakarta Globe call 021 2553 5055.