NCJ Number
152785
Journal
CQ Researcher Volume: 4 Issue: 35 Dated: (September 23, 1994) Pages: complete issue
Editor(s)
S Stencel
Date Published
1994
Length
24 pages
Annotation
These 12 articles examine media coverage of the courts, its impact on fair trials, and current issues such as allowing television cameras in the courtrooms.
Abstract
Since the earliest days of the United States, tension has existed between the First Amendment guarantee of free press and the Sixth Amendment guarantee of a free trial. In the 1960's, the American Bar Association and other organizations developed guidelines seeking to balance free press and fair trial rights. Live telecasting of trials increased in the 1970's and 1980's, but proposals to cover the U.S. Supreme Court were turned down. Forty-seven States now permit cameras and microphones. However, judges can order news blackouts to shield jurors from pretrial publicity. Recently, the murder case involving O.J. Simpson has raised these issues, and opinions vary regarding whether media coverage has been excessive. Photographs and lists of references and readings