Minnesota media groups and SPJ seek cameras in courts
From Joan Gilbertson, WCCO-TV News
Minnesota
Pro Chapter of SPJ and more than 20 other media organizations and state
journalism leaders believe it’s time for greater public access to Minnesota courts.
After
three decades of a de facto ban on cameras and electronic recording devices in Minnesota courtrooms,
media organizations representing hundreds of journalists across the state are
petitioning the Minnesota Supreme Court to improve access by electronic media.
Minnesota ranks among the bottom states in the nation in
terms of access by the public. This is because a rule adopted three decades ago
allows any party to a court procedure— the prosecution, the defense or
litigants in civil cases—to prohibit cameras or other recording devices in the
courtroom. This effectively establishes a ban on electronic recording.
The
new language proposed by a coalition of media organizations and advocates would
place decisions about electronic recording solely with the judge. This is in
line with the court’s stated goal of increased public trust and accountability.