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

The legislature finds, however, that technological
improvements in photography-and in audio and video broadcasting
have now made it possible for audio-visual coverage of judicial
proceedings to be conducted in a dignified manner with little or
no intrusion on the judicial process. In keeping with this new
technology the legislature passed section two hundred eighteen
of the judiciary law, which permitted audio-visual coverage of
court proceedings on an eighteen month experimental basis. This
experiment has shown that audio-visual coverage is in fact
beneficial in increasing public awareness and understanding of
the state judicial system. The experiment has also shown, as
has the experience of forty-three other states, that
audio-visual coverage need not disrupt court proceedings.
Further, the experiment has shown 'that under proper 'judicial
supervision audio-visual 'coverage does not threaten the fair and
efficient administration of justice. Accordingly, this act
establishes a permanent, judicially supervised system of
audio-visual coverage of civil and criminal court proceedings.
t 2. The judiciary law is amended by repealing the current
section two hundred eighteen and adding a new section two
hundred eighteen to read as follows:
5 218 Audio-visual coverage of judicial proceedings.
2