Balancing contempt and matters of public concern. The courts will balance the law of contempt against freedom of speech, and are prepared to make concessions on the competing public need. A 1937 formulation in the NSW Supreme Court continues to be applied: The discussion of public affairs and the denunciation of public abuses cannot be required to be suspended merely because (it) may, as an incidental but not intended by-product, cause some likelihood of prejudice to aperson who happens at the time to be a litigant. Where the matter is of public concern and the published material addresses that concern principally, the courts are reluctant to find contempt. Some subsequent cases are indicative of the extent to which the courts will make concession.