Televising Pistorius trial would be in the public interest

It would make eminent sense for media houses to be granted permission to broadcast live the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius.

Judgment has been reserved in the Pretoria High Court on the application by various print media houses, and by TV channels eNCA, and MultiChoice as well as Eyewitness News, to cover the sensational trial live. The National Prosecuting Authority has indicated that it will not oppose the application after being given certain assurances by one of the broadcasters that unobtrusive ''spy-type'' cameras would be used to ensure that witnesses were not intimidated. The cameras would be switched off at the request of a witness or on the instruction of the judge.

Pistorius's defence team has argued against the application on the basis that live coverage might result in their client not being given a fair trial.

But it is extremely unlikely that the deliberations of an experienced judge, assisted by two assessors, would be swayed in any way by a ''media circus''.

Make no mistake, there are dangers in allowing live broadcasts of criminal proceedings: some witnesses could be reluctant to testify and others could ''play to the cameras" and perhaps even tailor their evidence to try to create a favourable impression on TV.

But, in a controlled environment, with the judge deciding which parts of the trial can be broadcast live, this is less likely to happen.

The counter-argument - that there is such overwhelming public interest in the Pistorius trial that allowing it to be covered live would serve the greater good - is hard to refute.

It might also be argued that the courts need to move with the times and allow proceedings that are anyway open to the public - on the basis that justice must been seen to be done - to be televised to a wider audience.

There is obvious educational value in allowing the broader public a glimpse of the workings of our courts and justice system.

It goes without saying that this should not apply in cases involving children, or in proceedings dealing with rape or sexual assault.