Media's uncontrolled power will be halted - Atuguba

The President of the 9-member Supreme Court panel hearing the Presidential Election Petition has warned, rather sternly, the court will crack the whip on errant journalists and others found guilty of misreporting proceedings in the court.

Justice William Atuguba shortly before adjourning Monday’s proceedings to Wednesday said the uncontrolled power acquired by the media will be clipped.

The court has issued several warnings to lawyers and journalists to desist from misreporting proceedings in the court, but those appear to have gone unheeded.

Justice Atuguba insists the court will no longer tolerate such behaviors, adding “any person be it in the media or not who crosses the final touchline of proper coverage reportage will be met with the appropriate response.”

The seemingly angry president made reference to a Daily Guide report in which an alleged missing box containing pink sheet exhibits was deemed to have been found with him.

He also cited leaked reports on the content of the final report by KPMG - which audited the exhibits following the court's directive - at a time the court has not been given copies.

Such behaviours will no longer be countenanced, Atuguba insisted.