Unlike major news organisations, which on the whole act in a responsible and measured manner, the inhabitants of the internet often feel themselves to be unconstrained by the laws of the land. There is a certain belief that so long as something is published in cyberspace there is no need to respect the laws of contempt or libel. This is mistaken. And it does not follow that because law enforcement cannot be perfect, consistent and universal, that there is no point in doing anything at all. I have to consider each case on its merits. Just because in one case I might consider that a tweet, however improper, is unlikely to seriously prejudice or impede the course of justice, it would be wrong to assume that another tweet about another case could not engage the law of contempt and require action on my part.
To be clear, the Contempt of Court Act 1981 was not intended to prohibit or restrict free speech – far from it. The act was introduced as a liberalising measure following a decision, in 1979, of the European court of human rights.
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Read also - http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/49
