Twitter, Facebook users to show advisories over commenting on court cases

Washington: Facebook and Twitter users will now be shown advisories to stop them inadvertently breaking the law by commenting on court cases online.

Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC said that the previously unpublished legal notes, which have been issued only to print and broadcast media outlets on a "not for publication" basis, are designed to make sure that fair trials take place, Sky News reports.

Policy has been changed as social media reaches thousands of people and poses certain challenges to the criminal justice system, and to stop the public tripping over legal pitfalls by commenting on court cases was essential, he said.

He said this will make sure that cases are tried on the evidence, not what people have found online and will also bring more openness to the government dealings with the media so that both sides can be accountable to the public for their actions.