The press is to face tighter restrictions because of growing concerns about trial by media.

Delivering the annual Mary Ward lecture in London, Lord Goldsmith, the attorney general, said: "A free and active media is essential to democracy.

"But freedom of speech - while of vital importance - is not always paramount. Like other freedoms, it may be subject to certain legitimate restrictions.

"In order to secure justice it is on occasion necessary to curtail the rights to report and comment on matters before the courts."