WordWave transcripts in demand again for Deepcut live broadcast

The inquest, which took place last month, was the latest in a series of investigations into the deaths of four young soldiers at the Deepcut army barracks in Surrey. A jury returned an open verdict on Private James Collison, who died four years ago. Sky News and BBC News 24 worked with WordWave to broadcast live transcripts of the first few days of proceedings, as well as bringing audiences the coroner’s summing up and the jury’s verdict, as they were delivered. Until recently, live coverage of proceedings in UK courtrooms was not permitted. However, after teaming up with WordWave broadcasters can now convert traditional stenography ‘shorthand’ into text, which can be broadcast in a number of different ways including on television and via the Internet. This means viewers can now read what’s being said, as it’s being said, subject to permission from the judge or coroner. Although the service was initially developed with Sky News (the two companies have collaborated on a number of important court cases, including the trial of Muslim cleric Abu Hamza and the retrial of Sion Jenkins), WordWave is also now working with BBC News using a similar system. WordWave supported the Deepcut inquest in another way too – providing its real-time reporting service throughout the proceedings for the legal and other professionals involved. Real-time reporting involves highly trained stenographers capturing everything that’s said, then transmitting it within seconds to computer screens in the courtroom and beyond. The service allows those taking part to monitor and annotate key points as the case progresses, while a full, accurate transcript at the end of each day makes it quicker and easier to prepare for the next stages. While real-time reporting has been one of WordWave’s core services for over ten years now, live transcripts are relatively new. To make sure everything went smoothly, preparations for the Deepcut inquest have been going on for around 18 months. Says Jamie Pearce, WordWave’s Business Development Manager for Media, Broadcasting and Communications: “Working within a live broadcast environment, you only get one chance to get it right. So we need to work closely with broadcasters to make sure we deliver transcripts in a way that not only suits them, but which also fully complies with court guidelines.” Already the results speak for themselves. It’s not just broadcasters who are delighted – those directly involved with proceedings are also impressed with a service that allows them to communicate more quickly and accurately the outcome of cases where there’s a high level of public interest. To find out more about WordWave’s live transcript or real-time reporting services, contact Jamie Pearce on 020 7421 4006 or at:
jamie.pearce@wordwave.co.uk.