Suppression orders in Victoria: supporting or distorting justice?

Suppression orders imposed by courts have been big in the news in 2019. George Pell and barrister Nicola Gobbo, known during the suppression period as Lawyer X, are key examples.

Held in October at the State Library of Victoria, the 2019 Law and You Forum explored the current law and some of the thorny issues which surround it.

Are suppression orders essential to a fair trial for defendants, or does the public have a right to know about all aspects of the justice system and its outcomes?

Are suppression orders sometimes made because judges and lawyers believe juries can’t separate fact from comment?

Do suppression orders even work in a globally connected world when we can read international coverage online
And what about the rights of victims where matters or names are suppressed?