What laws currently govern the use of media in the courtroom?
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Committee (SJC) has implemented Rule 1:19, which regulates the use of still and video cameras in the court. The SJC is currently considering revisions to the rule, including for example the incorporation of appropriate usage of social media. Though not bound to the new guidelines being proposed, this project will be a test kitchen of sorts for some of these proposed revisions. All 50 states allow for some form of camera use in the courtroom. These states’ rules can generally be broken down into three tiers. First, the 19 states with the broadest coverage give near-total discretion to the presiding judge. Second, 16 states (including Massachusetts) prohibit coverage of important types of cases, or under relevant circumstances when witnesses object to broadcasting their testimony. Third, 15 states essentially allow appellate coverage only. The categorical bans on broadcasting vary from state to state, but there is some near-universal agreement regarding
