NUJ backs blogger banned from coroner's court

The NUJ has condemned a coroner’s decision to deny a blogging journalist access to the Isle of Wight coroner’s court.
NUJ member Simon Perry, who runs VentnorBlog about life on the island, says he was ordered to leave the court by the coroner’s officer because he was not recognised as a member of the press and the coroner didn’t want him there.
NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear has written to the Isle of Wight coroner's office expressing his concern at the decision to ban Perry from the hearing.
"The principle of open justice is vital to a democracy," Dear said. "Any journalist will tell you that the right of the public to know what happens in a coroner's court is fundamental to a free society. As Simon Perry's union, the NUJ will certainly pursue the issue vigorously."
Hat-tip Judith Townend journalism.co.uk