Press and Media Access to the Criminal Courtroom

To what extent should media coverage of criminal court proceedings be permitted? The central issue is how to strike a balance between the public's right to information and the individual's right to privacy. Freedman reviews the underlying legal principles and constitutional issues and describes important case law. He analyzes situations in which photographing, broadcasting, and televising in the courtroom are currently allowed and examines the relationship between the presence of media equipment during criminal trials and the actions of trial lawyers. The issue of media coverage as it relates to civil trials is also addressed, and British practices regarding press and media coverage of court proceedings are offered for comparison. Legal Information Alert

Freedman here presents a comprehensive discussion of an issue of growing importance to both the legal profession and the communications industry: the extent to which media coverage of criminal court proceedings should be permitted. As Freedman points out, the central question is how to strike the appropriate balance between the public's right to information and the individual's right to privacy. In Press and Media Access to the Criminal Courtroom, he reviews the underlying legal principles and constitutional issues, describes the important cases that have shaped current legal thinking, and provides citations of the applicable case law.

WARREN FREEDMAN was formerly Liability Counsel and Assistant Secretary for Bristol-Myers Corp.