Commentary on Sections Vulnerable witnesses Section 15 – Reporting of proceedings involving children
43.This section amends restrictions on reporting proceedings involving children in section 47 of the 1995 Act so that they apply to a person under 18, rather than under 16. Section 47 of the 1995 Act puts certain restrictions on newspapers to prevent them revealing the identity of persons under 16 who are involved in criminal proceedings (as the person against or in respect of whom the proceedings are taken, or as a witness). However, the court has discretion to dispense with these requirements if it is satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so. The provisions also apply to sound and television programmes.