| From 1987-1997, the New York State Legislature suspended the law prohibiting the broadcast of court proceedings and engaged in four experiments allowing television cameras into criminal courts. Cameras have not been allowed into New York's trial courts since June 1997. In January 2000, a trial judge ruled the state law unconstitutional and allowed the television media access to a heavily publicized trial. Legislators, the legal community, and the public are not solidly behind the notion of cameras In court and this is an on-going policy debate in New York, in other states, and at the federal level. Supporters of cameras in court argue that television coverage of criminal trials allows the public to see what happens inside the courtroom and contributes to public understanding of the justice system, Does audio-visual coverage of court proceedings achieve these goals? Four New York City police officers were on trial, accused of killing Amandou Diallo, a City resident. A content analysis of trial coverage, from five news media outlets and a channel airing "gavel to gavel" coverage, was completed. The analysis examines how the television news media reported the court proceedings, used the courtroom footage, and what information was made available to the public |
Updated 05/20/2006