In re Pilot Project for Electronic News Coverage in Indiana Trial Courts

Summary

The Indiana Supreme Court authorized a limited pilot project permitting camera, audio, still-photography, and radio coverage of proceedings in certain Indiana trial courts from July 1, 2006, through December 31, 2007. The order established consent requirements, coverage limitations, equipment and media- conduct rules, participating judges, pooling arrangements, and evaluation procedures. Justice Dickson, joined by Justice Rucker, dissented on the grounds that courtroom cameras could impair fair trials and that the proposed evaluation was not sufficiently objective or scientific.

Holdings

1. The Indiana Supreme Court authorized a limited pilot project permitting video and audio coverage, still news photography, and radio news coverage of eligible proceedings in certain Indiana trial courtrooms from July 1, 2006, through December 31, 2007.
2. Coverage under the pilot project may occur only under the order's detailed conditions, including written consent, limits on equipment and movement, restrictions concerning jurors, minors, victims, informants, undercover agents, sentencing witnesses, attorney-client communications, co-counsel communications, and bench conferences.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Indiana Supreme Court should authorize a limited pilot project permitting electronic news coverage of otherwise restricted proceedings in selected Indiana trial courtrooms.
2. What conditions should govern cameras, audio recording, media personnel, coverage of protected persons and communications, pooling arrangements, and evaluation of the pilot project.

Disposition

other