LOS ANGELES (AP) — The California Supreme Court on Wednesday denied the media's request to lift a gag order in the child molestation conspiracy case of pop superstar Michael Jackson.
The one-line order of the court did not comment on the issues involved.
Attorney Theodore Boutrous Jr., who represents a coalition of media organizations including The Associated Press, expressed displeasure with the ruling.
"Such gag orders deprive the public of true and accurate information on judicial proceedings from those who know the most about the case," he said. "These orders violate the First Amendment."
The state's highest court had requested letters from the defense and prosecution outlining their positions on the gag order, imposed by Judge Rodney Melville.
District Attorney Tom Sneddon's office responded with an incendiary attack on the news media, charging that those covering the Jackson case are pandering to a "gossip hungry" audience. It vilified both tabloid and mainstream media for reporting speculation and conjecture rather than truth.
"Eliminating the gag order will ensure that more accurate information will be disseminated, and will reduce the amount of rumors, speculation and gossip about which the District Attorney complains," Boutrous responded.
Jackson's former lawyer, Mark Geragos, had said he would file his own letter advocating removal of the gag order. His successor, Thomas Mesereau Jr., sent a letter saying he supported the gag order.
Jackson has pleaded not guilty to charges of child molestation and a conspiracy count involving allegations of child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.