Litigation

TV Cameras ?Would Boost Faith in our Courts?

By Peter Hardin

Contending “Cameras in Iowa’s courtrooms are no big deal anymore,” an Iowa commentator is urging support for legislation to open federal courtrooms to cameras too.

Jeff Tecklenburg writes in a post for the Cedar Rapids Gazette that supporters of cameras in federal courtrooms include U.S. District Judge Mark Bennett of Iowa:

“Bennett argues that expanded media coverage would actually promote public understanding and increase the public?s faith in the integrity of our federal courts. We agree.”

In Iowa, cameras have been permitted in state courtrooms for almost 30 years. The writer backs a bill by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, that recently was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. It would permit televising of courtroom proceedings “except when such action would constitute a violation of the due process rights of any party.?

Meanwhile, media companies have asked the judge presiding over the gay marriage trial in San Francisco to consider cameras in the federal courtroom there during upcoming closing arguments, according to a NBC Bay Area report.

To learn more about cameras in the courtroom, check out Gavel Grab.

Full post as published by The Gavel on May 20, 2010 (boomark / email).