UK Media Groups Lose Secrecy Challenge On Terror Trial

London: Britain's media have lost a challenge to the unprecedented secrecy in the coverage of the trial of a British law student who had been accused of targeting former Prime Minister Tony Blair or planning a Mumbai-style attack.

The case is centered around Erol Incedal, who was acquitted last year. All but a few reporters were barred from covering his trial and those that did were barred from reporting the case pending the outcome of the challenge. Media organizations say the case represented "important issues about the constitutional principle of open justice."

The UK Court of Appeal announced its decision on Tuesday. While Judge John Thomas emphasized the importance of open justice, he says the trial judges made the right call in the interests of national security.