Channel Seven newsreader Peter Mitchell could be charged with contempt of court after going ‘‘off script’’ when reporting about Peter Dupas’ murder trial.

Mr Mitchell fronted the Supreme Court on Tuesday when the broadcaster’s lawyer offered a ‘‘sincere and genuine apology’’ for the newsreader’s ad-libbed words about Mr Dupas in last Wednesday’s bulletin.

Peter Mitchell on Seven News.

What Mr Mitchell said during the 25-second report, which aired about a quarter of the way into the bulletin, cannot be reported for legal reasons.

Mr Dupas is charged with murder over the stabbing in 1997 of 95-year-old Kathleen Downes at a Brunswick nursing home, and is due to face trial next year.