Image courtesy of Flickr user Matt Wade

Major journalism groups are calling on the Supreme Court to allow audio and video coverage of upcoming health-care reform arguments.

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has petitioned to include the recordings in three cases involving proposed federal health-care legislation. Delaying the release of argument recordings “will impede journalists’” ability to provide same-day coverage, the letter to Chief Justice John G. Roberts also noted. The Supreme Court usually releases audio recordings at the end of the week. It has never allowed video recordings of its proceedings. On the importance of the need for openness of the proceedings, Eric Newton, senior adviser to the President at Knight Foundation, says:            

“We all face challenges in the real-time networked world of the digital age. Government at every level could be more open. We need a free flow of public information for communities to be truly informed and engaged. The Reporters Committee and its many allies are right: The Supreme Court should help the public learn about important matters on the day they happen.”

The court’s current policy of releasing recordings weekly does not adequately satisfy the public’s interest in being informed of important developments, said Lucy A. Dalglish, executive director of The Reporters Committee:  

“Federal health-care reform affects everyone’s well-being, and everyone has the right to see and hear the arguments over this important issue made before the highest court in this country. And they have the right to see it and hear it as it happens.”

Dozens of media organizations, including several Knight Foundation grantees, have joined the Reporters Committee’s effort, such as Citizen Media Law Project, the First Amendment Coalition, NPR, the Online News Association and Society of Professional Journalists. If the approval of cameras in the Supreme Court is not approved, the Reporters Committee is proposing the court at least consider immediate releasing the audio recordings, which it did during both the presidential election of 2000 and when considering campaign finance reform laws. Knight Foundation currently supports The Reporters Committee to expand its outreach to a new generation of online journalists, ensuring they are aware of its legal services, information and other free resources available on media law issues.