Queensland Premier Steven Miles says he will speak to the attorney-general after a boy accused of fatally stabbing a grandmother appeared in a closed court hearing.
Acting Magistrate Robert Turra on Tuesday refused the media's application to be present at the 16-year-old's first hearing at Ipswich Childrens Court, saying it would be "prejudicial to the child".
Mr Turra said there were concerns some material released by police could be viewed alongside media reports of the case.
"The existence of this material seems to have created the risk of reprisal or interference by the community," Mr Turra said.
The 16-year-old was one of five boys charged following the fatal stabbing of 70-year-old grandmother Vyleen White outside a Redbank Plains shopping centre in an alleged car jacking on Saturday.
Mr Miles said he would speak to Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath about magistrates letting media into courtrooms for high profile matters more often.
"We haven't considered this as a government policy, but my opinion is that where reporters can be in those courts, I think magistrates would let them," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"At the moment, magistrates are erring too much on the side of not allowing journalists in. I can think of instances though where it is reasonable."
Mr Miles said he could understand why magistrates would prevent media from attending matters involving domestic violence or child safety issues.
"I can see that there are reasons why magistrates should on a case by case basis, be able to make that assessment," he said.
"But I think they're making the assessment too often not to have reporters there and I'd certainly look for ways to encourage magistrates to sort of consider making the courts more open.
"That is good for scrutiny on our court processes."
Mr Miles indicated he would address the issue with Ms D'Ath.
"I'm certainly happy in the first instance to talk to her about how we can change that magistrate behaviour and then if that fails, I'm certainly happy to look further as well," he said.
Multiple media outlets applied for access to the 16-year-old's hearing at Ipswich Childrens Court on Tuesday.
Solicitor for Seven News, Sophie Robertson told the court that it would be beneficial to the public and the application of justice for the fair and accurate stories to be published by trained and accountable reporters.
"There is significant public interest that the matter is fairly and accurately reported rather than rely on online supposition or commentary by keyboard warriors," she said.
The boy's solicitor, Abbey Huckstep, opposed the media applications and said the court had a duty to uphold the rights of children and to protect their mental and physical wellbeing.
"There has been a lot of online attention already .. there have been death threats targeted at particular sections of the community," she said.
Mr Turra said the media outlets had not demonstrated why they should have access to an initial hearing of the charges.
"I find the presence of media would be prejudicial to the child," Mr Turra said.
