National media frustrated by Twitter ban

Reporters covering the child sex-abuse case against former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky have been frustrated by rules banning them from using Twitter and other forms of electronic media during his preliminary hearing Tuesday.

Several national media groups will file a petition in court Monday requesting the ban be overturned, The Harrisburg Patriot-News reported.

The Centre County Court announced Dec. 6 that it would not permit the use of email, text message and tweets from the courthouse during the high-profile hearing in Bellefonte, Pa.

The group petition claims the rules prevent the journalists from performing their jobs to the best of their abilities, including blocking real-time reporting.

The motion reportedly cites previous cases in which judges have permitted reporters to tweet from the courtroom.

Sandusky is charged with sexually assaulting 10 boys over a 15-year period, with most of the allegations detailed in a grand-jury report last month. Sandusky has maintained his innocence.