Judges and prosecutors have to display poise and wisdom when posting online, because their opinions influence society's perception of the judiciary, reads one of the conclusions of a conference to release good practice guidance for magistrates using social media or online platforms.
Chair of the Supreme Court of Justice and Cassation (ICCJ), Nicoleta Tint warned about situations in which some magistrates were perceived by the public opinion as biased or subjected to different external influences as a result of their choice in using online platforms.
"On the other hand, the same social media are used by fellow magistrates, by institutions in the judicial system for expressing relevant legal opinions, for the legal education of the public, as well as for promoting increased openness of justice to the society and citizens. I think that it should not be denied that most of the magistrate colleagues use the online platforms not in their professional quality, but as private persons, persons who want to be in contact with their close ones, who want to follow topics of interest to themselves or to be informed on topics that do not necessarily concern their professional activity," said Tint.