The contempt of court trial of a Lebanese journalist and her television station opened Thursday before the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, set up to try the killers of slain former premier Rafiq Hariri.
Karma Khayat and Al-Jadeed TV have been charged with two counts of contempt and obstruction of justice for publishing details of alleged witnesses in the trial of five men accused of murdering the billionaire Hariri in 2005.
"Their conduct continues to put people and their lives and their families at risk," prosecutor Kenneth Scott told the Hague-based tribunal.
"Freedom of speech comes with responsiblities," Scott added, as the hearing started at the STL's fortress-like building located in a leafy suburb of the Dutch city.
Khayat's Al-Jadeed station -- which had been critical of Hariri -- broadcast five programmes in August 2012 on alleged witnesses due to testify at the trial, with the STL later saying "11 witnesses were approached".