1989-03-24 Comments of Star Tribune.pdf - Minnesota Judicial Branch

Accordingly, the enclosed bill would ensure the
public's continued opportunity to watch the judicial process
in their living rooms, just as they could attend in open
court. The proposed bill tracks the present experimental
statute in most respects. It will continue to afford judges
the opportunity to control camera access to the courtroom:
judges may determine that objections to camera access should
be upheld if, based on enumerated factors, they find that
special circumstances exist which would make such coverage,
undesirable. The proposed bill makes permanent restrictions
in the experimental law regarding audio-visual coverage of
jurors, undercover police officers, rape victims and the
like, although, in general, restrictions on coverage are to
be limited to allow for the maximum amount of coverage under
all the circumstances.
The proposed legislation also adopts the present
restrictions relating to equipment and personnel; for exam-
ple, camera access is limited to two motion picture cameras
and one still photographer, each to represent broadcast and
press pools. These photographers are themselves under
restrictions with respect to the noise and light of their
equipment, and their movement about the courtroom.