A case in point
While the press and public alike were focused on the outcome of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's bail application, legal history was being made from that very courtroom as the magistrate allowed live updates to be sent via Twitter.
While it may not seem to be a particularly big deal, the move marked a first as Howard Riddle, the chief magistrate agreed that reporters could send the mini messages as long as they were careful not to disturb the court, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Times journalist Alexi Mostrous was particularly dexterous with his smartphone during the hearing as he probably posted the most Tweets, followed by prominent freedom of information campaigner, Heather Brooke.
Currently, journalists can file stories from laptops whilst a court is in session, but the use of mobile phones as well as TV cameras and recording equipment is prohibited.
However, according to the newspaper, important judges are mulling over whether courts should allow the use of Twitter and are apparently erring in favour of the micro blogging site as a way to get news out of a courtroom.
In a lecture from Belfast just last month, the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge reportedly questioned whether reporting restrictions should be eased.
"If it is possible to file a story via email from a laptop in court, then why is Twitter any different? Why is Twitter in the form of text-based transmission of material from court any different?" he reportedly questioned.
A spokesman for the judiciary told The Daily Telegraph: "The questions raised by the Lord Chief Justice in his recent lecture regarding the use of Twitter and the principles of open justice are under active consideration by the senior judiciary."
