The Department of Justice (DoJ) is taking forward plans that will allow news outlets to broadcast sentencing remarks made by judges in Northern Ireland courts.

Justice Minister Naomi Long has published a summary of responses to a public consultation on the proposals and has set out the next steps, which involve bringing forward the necessary legislation to implement the changes. The DoJ will work closely with the Office of the Lady Chief Justice in developing these plans.

Minister Long stated that allowing broadcasting will "increase transparency and allow the public to view decisions being made by the judiciary in Northern Ireland."

The plans are restricted and will not include full trials. The types of court proceedings that may be broadcast under the proposals include: • The handing down of a judgement in the Court of Appeal, including submissions and exchanges between legal representatives and the court.

• Judges making sentencing remarks in the Crown Court.

Minister Long addressed concerns raised in the consultation regarding the impact on victims and children, stressing that the changes are not about turning courts into "livestream entertainment."

She confirmed that members of the public, victims, witnesses, and jurors will not be filmed or recorded. The decision on whether a case can be recorded or broadcast will remain with the individual judge, and all existing reporting restrictions will continue to apply.

Only broadcasters permitted in writing by the Department of Justice will be allowed to record the proceedings. "As always, victims and witnesses will remain at the heart of everything we do," the Minister concluded.