Bill brings courtrooms up to speed

A Bill, which would mean greater use of audio visual links in courtrooms, passed its first reading in New Zealand Parliament, states Scoop.

The Courts (Remote Participation) Bill is the first piece of legislation introduced by government to modernise and simplify the criminal court procedure.

“Greater use of video links will improve court efficiency, increase safety and security, increase access to justice, and improve the quality of evidence heard in our courtrooms,” says justice minister Simon Power.

The council of ministers will discuss a draft law of audiovisual and electronic media in its periodical meeting, says information minister Hasan al-Lawzi, writes News Yemen.

Official media quoted al-Lawzi as saying the law will enable the private sector in the country to install private radio and televisions.

This step comes as local and international reports recorded horrible violations of press freedom in Yemen in 2009.

The Department of Human Services has worked with Vantage Systems, an Australian provider of audio, video and Web conferencing solutions, to design, implement and manage a Video Relay Interpreting (VRI) Service in Victoria, according to News Maker.

Community services minister Lisa Neville officially unveiled the service at the Geelong Hospital last week.

The VRI Service aims to improve access to the Auslan interpreting services for Victoria's deaf and hard of hearing community through the use of ICT such as high-speed broadband and video communication.