Camera's In the Courtroom

   

    According to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53,  "...the court must not permit the taking of photographs in the courtroom during judicial proceedings or the broadcasting of judicial proceedings from the courtroom." This rule was first adopted in 1946 and has made changes based on the technology that was evolving over the years. Cameras in the courtroom have gone in and out of style. First, in 1946, there was no photography permitted, then in 1972 the courts prohibited the broadcasting of all types, and in 1990 a judge may authorize based on their own discretion, and then quickly again in 1994 cameras in the courtroom were prohibited again. And as of 2016 cameras are allowed in courtrooms again but only for the presentation of evidence, for the perpetuation of the record of the proceedings, for security purposes, for other purposes of judicial administration, for the photographing, recording, or broadcasting of appellate arguments, or in accordance with pilot programs approved by the Judicial Conference. I believe that cameras in the courtroom can be both very powerful and also very misleading. For starters, it can be powerful because it gives people an insight of what is going on inside the courtroom. This can lead to a greater belief in our court system, or if many people are upset with a certain ruling they can go back, watch it for themselves, and create their own opinion. Cameras in the courtroom could also be very misleading, much like our media sources today. Certain comments or testimonies could be taken out of context and the media can portray people however they would like. So in summary, cameras, and broadcasting in the courtroom is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it would make sense for the people to see what court rulings are shaping their country's future, and on the other hand, any politically motivated media outlet can manipulate the story and tell it how they want their viewers to see it. 

Anonymous. “Cameras in the Courtroom?” American Bar Association Journal, vol. 68, 1982, pp. 416–417.