The Prosecution Case is Closing
Early in February, the defence cases will start in the phone hacking trial. This is always the most dramatic phase of any trial, when the defendants lay out their case, and are open to cross examination.
Help me live tweet the hacking trial till its conclusion - expected in June.
The Story So Far
Back in October, crowd funding helped me, a freelance journalist and author, to provide live coverage of the phone hacking trial till Christmas.
According to Jon Lippitt, who compiles my tweets in daily evidence on my blog, I have tweeted more than 100,000 words from the Old Bailey - and three quarters of million keystrokes.
The response was phenomenal. Now I need your support to finish the job:
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Live, independent and detailed coverage answerable to you.
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Tweets daily indexed on my blog with storifies by Claire Pollard.
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A collection of emails, recordings, transcripts and other evidence released.
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Cross posting of links to other sites, blogs and media coverage.
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All my articles in an easy-to-read flipboard magazine.
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And much else besides...
The People's Reporter
I've been jokingly referred to as the people's scribe - or, as Germany's best-selling daily the Süddeutsche Zeitung called me, "Reporter Des Volkes".*
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There's an element of truth in this. As I explained to Steve Hewlett during this recent interview on the Radio Four Media Show (starts around 25'), you are my employers.
In this vital trial about British media, you guarantee my independence.
For transparency:
- I need at least £10k to survive in Central London dedicated to the trial for the next five months. (26% goes on commission fees and VAT.)
- Most subscribers are content with the live tweeting, but the perks give added access to insider court news.
(*Other articles on the crowdfunding of my live tweets have appeared on the BBC site, Press Gazette, Wall Street Journal and the New Statesman.)
As if You're There in Court
Many people have found live-tweeting the most atmospheric and direct form of court reporting. Each contribution allows me to stay in the court longer, so your pounds won't be wasted even if I don't reach my goal. The aim is to provide two crucial services:.
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Immediate uncensored reporting from Court (bar reporting restrictions)
- Eventually a complete database of the evidence compiled Jon Lippitt and vital for future research.
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Money Isn't Everything
Times are tough for many people. if you can't afford to make a financial contribution, contacting others who can help is just as valuable.
- Share, publicise and explain the value of Live Tweeting this most important of media trials.
- Use the Indiegogo share tools in order to spread the word.
Justice Saunders said, in his opening remarks at the Old Bailey, that "not only are the defendants on trial, but British justice is on trial."
I would also add, so is the British media.
Live tweeting provides impartial access to all the detail of this historic media trial, and the eventual database can only benefit transparency and open justice.
Thanks for listening.
