Anthem for genocide: Why sound and the law need a fair hearing

For an institution built on principles like a fair hearing in court, the law has been strangely tin-eared when it comes to questions of sound.

So says Melbourne Law School lecturer, radio broadcaster and music critic Dr James Parker, who is issuing something of an injunction to encourage what he calls an “acoustic jurisprudence” to bridge the gap.

“When we think about law we really should pay attention to sound and we often don’t,” Dr Parker says. “Sound is at the centre of our story about law: it is called a hearing for a reason.

“The gavel is one of the most recognisable symbols of justice globally. And what is it? It’s something that makes a sound. The gavel is an acoustic equivalent of the judge’s robes, a symbol of their authority to speak and be heard.”