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Sean Sinclair, a partner at Robertson Stromberg LLP who has litigated cases for the StarPhoenix, said transparency is the bedrock of a functioning judicial system, and journalists act as surrogates for the broader public by reporting what happens in courtrooms.

Photo by JASON FRANSON / THE CANADIAN PRESS

“Justice must not only be done, but be seen to be done,” Sinclair said, adding he has not once in the 14 years he has practised law seen reporters barred from a courtroom at the commencement of a proceeding.

The editor of Saskatchewan’s two largest daily newspapers said she is concerned about the decision to deny reporters access to the court proceeding.

“The special responsibility that the media has as part of the justice system has clearly been laid out by the Supreme Court of Canada,” said Heather Persson, editor of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and the Regina Leader-Post.

“I am concerned about the lack of understanding shown today by the RCMP and court staff about this role. We completely understand the need for family and community members to be accommodated, but the press needed to have some access as well in that small courtroom.”

Media outlets were told earlier this month that the sentencing decision would be broadcast via closed-circuit television to Meadow Lake, but virtually all of them chose to travel to La Loche, to be in the community where the shootings happened.

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Tabrizi-Reardigan said he couldn’t comment on whether it was appropriate to ask reporters to listen to the proceedings in Meadow Lake rather than in La Loche.