4 February 2025
Media Innovation Studio, University of Central Lancashire
Dr François Nel, Director of the Media Innovation Studio at the University of Central Lancashire and member of the Media Stakeholder Committee for the Transparency and Open Justice Board has submitted a formal response to the Board’s consultation on its proposed Key Objectives-calling for education and academic engagement to be embedded within the future of open justice.
In his response, Dr Nel welcomes the Board’s commitment to transparency but argues that students, educators, and academic institutions must be recognised as essential partners in ensuring the justice system is accessible, accountable, and understood by the wider public.
“Justice is not truly open unless it is accessible for learning,” said Dr Nel in a recent post on LinkedIn “A justice system that is visible but unintelligible is no better than one that is hidden.”
His submission makes the case for:
- Structured access to court proceedings for students and educators;
- Clearer pathways for student journalists and legal researchers to report responsibly on the justice system;
- Educational summaries and resources that demystify legal reasoning;
- Improved access to court documents for teaching and publicly funded research.
The response draws on insights from the News Futures Forum: Lessons from Southport, an ongoing enquiry co-led by Dr Nel, which examines the relationship between the media, justice, disinformation, and public trust.
“This is not an abstract concern-it has real-world implications,” Dr. Nel explained. “The Southport enquiry underscores why transparency, accountability, and public understanding of the legal process matter-not just for journalists and legal professionals, but for communities seeking justice.”
The Media Innovation Studio and the News Futures Forum have offered to work with the Transparency and Open Justice Board to explore collaborative initiatives that connect research, education, and civic engagement with open justice efforts.
Read Dr Nel’s full submission here: Response to the Consultation on the Transparency and Open Justice Board’s Proposed Key Objectives – CLOK – Central Lancashire Online Knowledge
