Thank you.
Virtual hearings, if open to the public, can ensure the continued respect of the open court principle, but it can also affect the privacy interests of participants. While individuals can watch in-person court proceedings, few do. Virtual access may increase public viewing substantially. Remote appearances also include the possibility of livestreaming, screen grabs or recordings, which can then be distributed or posted online.
I have two questions. How should the open court principle and privacy interests be balanced in virtual hearings? Secondly, what impact could public broadcasting have on witnesses, particularly in cases of sexual assault and other more sensitive matters?