Lack of courtroom TV decision 'frustrating'

Broadcasters have written to Lord Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw, requesting a decision on whether to allow TV cameras into British courtrooms.

A consultation on the issues was completed in 2005, after a pilot project was conducted the year before, with the BBC, ITV, ITN, Channel 4, Five and Sky all taking part.

The original plans included filming appeals, judges and lawyers, but not those in the dock, any witnesses or the jury.

The broadcaster's Court TV Group is now urging the government to make a decision on the issue.

According to Broadcast, a letter to Straw from the group, states the government's failure to make a decision on the matter is "frustrating and disappointing," adding the lack of cameras in our courtrooms means the UK is "out of step with most other legal systems in the world."