News Releases

Sotomayor Confirmation Creates Fresh Cameras-In-Court Dialogue

RTNDA is encouraged that the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court could open the possibility of cameras being allowed in the country’s highest court, creating an important transparency for journalists covering the nation’s most important legal issues.

Sotomayor was confirmed as the first Hispanic and the third woman to the Supreme Court by a 68-31 vote drawn largely along party lines on Thursday afternoon.
 
RTNDA has long been an advocate for first-amendment rights and was encouraged by Sotomayor’s response to Sen. Herb Kohl during her confirmation hearings when asked if she’d be open to allowing cameras in the Supreme Court.

“I have had positive experiences with cameras when I have been asked to join experiments using cameras in the courtroom,” Sotomayor said during the hearings.

Sotomayor, though not saying directly that she would favor cameras in the court, said she would be a “new voice in the discussion” in a court that has traditionally been reluctant to allow them. Sotomayor is replacing Justice David Souter, who was strongly opposed to cameras in the Supreme Court.

“I’m encouraged that Justice Sotomayor used the word 'positive' to describe her experiences with cameras in the courtroom," said RTNDA Chairman Stacey Woelfel. "Every state has some provision for cameras to provide appellate court coverage.  The prospect that our viewers may soon be able to get that same coverage of the Supreme Court is very exciting indeed.  Allowing cameras there would create an important avenue for journalists to help citizens better understand the United States legal system and the major issues presented in its highest court.”