By Mohamed Mansaray in Kenema

Court reporting in society is significant because it helps to reduce crime rate if not eradicated. It acts as a barrier for those who may have the tendency to commit similar offence or offences when once it is published in newspapers and magazines and/or broadcast on radio and TV stations across communities.

It is obvious that most of the people involved in committing crime are the jobless youths from the rural areas to urban centres. In the court of law, the alleged perpetrators or accused persons are mostly young men committing offences such as shop breaking and larceny, house breaking and larceny; rubbery with aggravation, causing grievous bodily harm and murder. Elderly people are mostly charged to court for rape, sexual penetration and child maintenance. Punishments vary as crimes vary.

The role of the media is to report on the progress and outcome of court proceedings. With court reporting, people are cautioned to desist from committing offences as reporting court outcomes, especially heavy sentences, would create fear in other people. Upon hearing the news, nobody wants to be sentenced to a jail term as required by law.