IA Panel To Review Rules For Media In Courtrooms
by Associated Press
December 07, 2012 1:10 PM
The Iowa Supreme Court has appointed a committee to clarify rules regarding the media's ability to use computers and cellphones to record courtroom proceedings.
The court appointed a 15-member committee Friday to review rules that have allowed the media to use cameras and other audio recording devices in Iowa courtrooms since 1979.
Justice Bruce Zager will chair the committee, which includes media representatives, lawyers, judges and court officials.
He says judges routinely get requests from reporters for permission to use technologies such as laptops and smartphones so they can share information in real-time through social media and websites. He says those technologies are not addressed in the rules, which can cause some confusion.
Zager says the committee's efforts will help officials "navigate through media requests unheard of 10 years ago."
