Hedieh Nasheri

Studying the work of the Courtroom Television Network, Nasheri explores attitudes toward and arguments about the use of courtroom television. She argues for the primacy of television in establishing open judicial proceedings.

This book seeks to provide useful and relevant information to aid judges, lawyers, legal scholars, media groups and the public at large in making decisions about the appropriateness of permitting live electronic coverage of courtroom trials both as a general rule and in individual cases. To aid in the discussion of cameras in the courtroom, this book focuses on the electronic trial coverage conducted by the Courtroom Television Network (Court TV).

The question that this book raises is whether public information about trials is to come solely from second-hand summaries on the news, "spin control" press conferences, prejudicial and inflammatory characterizations by interested third parties; or whether the public will be permitted, as well, to observe the entirety of the actual in-court proceedings under the control of the Court. Openness of public institutions, including the judiciary, is a key ingredient in our democracy.

Table of Contents

1. America's Love Affair for All Things Legal
2. Background of Cameras in the Courtroom and the Present Day Rules
3. The Development of Court TV
4. Criticism of Cameras in the Courtroom
5. The Public Perception
6. Evidence Regarding Television Broadcasting of Trials
7. Conclusion
Notes
Appendices
Index