Parts of Oscar Pistorius' murder trial can be broadcast live by three remote-controlled cameras set up in court, a judge has ruled, but the testimony given by the double-amputee Olympian himself can't be shown.
Pistorius' defence lawyers failed in their bid to stop any part of the trial being broadcast as a judge in the North Gauteng High Court on Tuesday ruled mostly in favour of the South African TV and radio applicants.
Judge Dunstan Mlambo's ruling now opens up much of the blockbuster trial to the scrutiny of millions of fascinated followers in South Africa and around the world.
Mlambo granted permission to the South African media houses to install the unmanned television cameras in "unobtrusive" locations at least 72 hours before the trial opens on Monday.
A live audio feed can also be broadcast, while still photographs can be taken in court by two other mounted cameras operated by photographers.
TV footage or photographs however cannot show "extreme" close up images of anyone in the court and witnesses who object can stop their testimony from being broadcast, Mlambo said.
Pistorius' defence lawyers had argued that broadcasting the trial in any way would harm his chances of receiving a fair trial.
Brian Webber, the lawyer representing Pistorius in this hearing, declined to initially comment on the ruling saying he had yet to study it.
Pistorius was charged with murder a year ago over the shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his upscale house in Pretoria.
He faces a possible sentence of 25 years in prison if he is convicted on the main charge of premeditated murder, which he denies.
Mlambo said his decision on Tuesday was a careful "balancing act" between guaranteeing Pistorius a fair trial and also respecting the freedom of the media.
South Africa's justice system is "still perceived as treating the rich and famous with kid gloves whilst being harsh on the poor and vulnerable," he said.
"Enabling a larger South African society to follow firsthand the criminal proceedings which involve a celebrity so to speak, will go a long way into dispelling these negative and unfounded perceptions about the justice system".
