giveNow_Button
News Regional & State News PA Supreme Court allows cameras in its courtroom
Monday, 15 August 2011 16:18

PA Supreme Court allows cameras in its courtroom

Written by  Mary Wilson

(Harrisburg) -- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is allowing cameras in its court room for the first time. The Pennsylvania Cable Network, or PCN, is calling it "gavel-to-gavel coverage." Chief Justice Ron Castille says the cases that make it to broadcast will be educational, even if they’re not all riveting. "Some of them will be fairly dull, like how many parts per million of mercury can you have in the pollution of an electric power plant," he says. "But then, we also get death penalties, and you know, search and seizure cases." Castille says PCN has requested to roll tape for the past decade, but older justices weren’t warm to the idea. Newer arrivals to the bench tipped the scales in PCN’s favor. The Court doesn’t have to allow the network to record all of its sessions. Jjustices can halt coverage or deny it altogether to ensure orderly conduct, or protect people involved in the cases. Cameras start rolling at the Court in September. The state Supreme Court has agreed with PCN that all sessions recorded for broadcast are recorded in full.

Last modified on Monday, 15 August 2011 16:29

Add comment


Security code
Refresh

Stay Connected to witf

Ticket Giveaway Button
ListenLIVE_Button
WatchNow_Button

Support for witf is provided by:

Become a witf sponsor today »

Latest News from NPR

Support for witf is provided by:

Become a witf sponsor today »