Between Word and Law: What Journalists Learn in Monaco

At the Monaco Press Club, a closed-door meeting brought together journalists and representatives of the Principality’s legal system — Delphine Lanzara, Director of the Monegasque Institute for Legal Professions Training, and Thomas Meindl, First Judge at the Court of First Instance, specializing in criminal cases.

Formally, it was an educational session — an introduction to Monegasque law for media professionals. In reality, the conversation went much deeper.

At its core was the role of the journalist within the justice system.

From the outset, Delphine Lanzara framed the objective: to help journalists better navigate legal reality — from understanding legislative initiatives to grasping the logic of criminal proceedings. But beneath this was a more subtle idea: a journalist does not merely transmit information — they shape how it is perceived.

Thomas Meindl invited participants to step “inside the system,” breaking down the criminal process step by step — from the moment an offense occurs to the final verdict. His explanation was precise: who makes decisions, who brings charges, who delivers judgment — and why these roles must never be conflated.

It was here that the key insight of the meeting emerged: journalistic errors are rarely about facts — they are about roles.

Confusing a prosecutor with a judge. Calling someone an accused person without legal grounds. Using an imprecise term. For a reader, this may go unnoticed. For the legal system, it is already a distortion.

And yet, no one expects journalists to speak like lawyers. On the contrary, their role is to translate complexity into clarity. But even in translation, there is a boundary.

To simplify is to explain.

To distort is to alter meaning.

The difference lies in professional discipline.

Another point of discussion was the influence of media on legal proceedings themselves. As Thomas Meindl noted, in a public environment, participants in a case sometimes begin speaking not for the court, but for the press. At that moment, a judicial process risks turning into a communication strategy.

The paradox is that the system simultaneously depends on journalism. Without it, there is no transparency. Without transparency, there is no trust.

And yet, legal professionals carry a specific — almost painful — question for journalists:

Why do we write when a person is accused, but rarely write when they are acquitted?

This asymmetry creates a distorted reality in which suspicion outlives truth.

In the context of Monaco’s ongoing legal transformation, this question becomes particularly sharp. As highlighted in the materials presented, the Principality is actively strengthening its institutions in line with international standards, turning external evaluations into a driver for reform.

“Every state today is called upon to demonstrate its commitment to justice and the rule of law… Recommendations in recent years have prompted Monaco to reinforce anti-corruption mechanisms, victim protection, and the transparency of public life.”

The reforms that followed Monaco’s inclusion on the FATF “grey list” in 2024 became a point of acceleration. New structures were established, including the Monaco Financial Security Authority (AMSF) and specialized units within the prosecutor’s office.

“This does not weaken sovereignty — on the contrary, it strengthens its resilience and trust in the system.”

As Monaco assumes the presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in 2026, it is placing emphasis on openness and institutional maturity.

And here, journalism finds itself at the center of the process — because in modern society, it has long been considered the fourth estate.

Which leads to a question that was never asked directly, but lingered in the room:

if journalism truly is a fourth power, is it ready to bear responsibility as one?

Because perhaps the issue is not that journalists wield too much influence. But that they have not fully embraced the scale of it.

This is a question we have yet to answer.