The Courts are always places of drama and excitement. However journalists must always be careful about how they cover their stories in regard to who they can name, the crime that's been committed etc.
Sexual offences are generally kept out of the public's knowledge as the story may infringe on the victim's right to anonymity. Rape, molestation and other deviant crimes being heard in court may be known to some journalists but until they receive confirmation that the victim wishes to give up their right to anonymity and only then can they publish the court proceedings.
An example of such behaviour is the recent incest case in the West of Ireland. The mother was never named because her identity would of course lead to the victims of her terrible crimes. However there are some cases, like that of gangland crime, which are encouraged by the public to be printed. It is a case of "name and shame" and most journalists are only too happy to oblige. Ever since the public outcry after the murder of Veronica Guerin, most gangland bosses are afraid to kill off journalists seeking to uncover the truth. In this way the field of journalism not only reports news but can sometimes keep the perpetrators of crime at bay.
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