Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial WILL Be Televised - But Judge Bans Close Ups & Recording Private Conversations

Oscar Pistorius' trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp WILL be televised, a South African judge has ruled. The Blade Runner's legal team had made an application to have the media barred from proceedings arguing it would prevent him having a fair trial. But today judge Dunstan Mlambo ruled to allow limited TV coverage of the case which is due to begin on March 3.

The double-amputee Olympian, 27, shot and killed his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, in a Valentine’s Day horror at his home in Pretoria, South Africa, last year.

Pistorius denies murder and says he shot her through a toilet door in self defence after mistaking his 29-year-old girlfriend for an intruder.


The application to film proceedings was brought by media groups MultiChoice, eNCA and Eyewitness News.

MultiChoice plans to begin 24-hour coverage of the trial on its own dedicated channel - the Oscar Pistorius Trial channel - on Sunday.

Judge Mlambo ruled to allow broadcasters to show the opening arguments for state and defense, expert evidence, testimony of police as well as all consenting state witnesses.

But they have been told not to film close ups or record private conversations.

Evidence given by Pistorius and his witnesses will also be exempt form the ruling, the judge said.

Photographers will be allowed to take stills during the trial and audio of proceedings will be published in full.

As well as the charge of premeditated murder, Pistorius also faces a charge of illegal possession of ammunition.