Charges have been dropped against 15 journalists and editors yesterday after 12 media outlets pleaded guilty to contempt of court over the reporting of Cardinal George Pell’s since-overturned child abuse convictions in 2018. At the time, Pell’s convictions could not be reported because of a suppression order put in place to avoid prejudicing jurors in a second trial, which didn’t eventuate. The outlets – which were mostly News Corp and Nine Entertainment mastheads – were charged over their publication of cryptic articles saying they had been prohibited from reporting on a story of major public interest involving a high-profile Australian figure. As part of the plea deal, other contempt of court charges have been dismissed. The companies will front court again next week for a 2-day plea hearing.