Some people believe television coverage of court proceedings, including criminal trials, would help Americans better understand this part of our judicial process, to say nothing of their transparency. They also say broadcasting court proceedings will allow Americans to observe public trials without having to travel to the courthouse. Several famous trials, such as the O.J. Simpson and George Floyd murder trials, were televised. However, our federal courts currently ban cameras from their courtrooms. Televised-trial opponents claim TV coverage is often shallow and preoccupied with sensationalism. They say cameras will detract from the reverence of trial proceedings.

Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of S.833 - Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2023
Prospective Sponsor: Sen. Chuck Grassley (IA)

• I oppose reforming current courtroom TV policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Leader John Thune (SD).
• I support establishing a framework to allow federal court proceedings in district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court to be photographed, recorded, broadcast, or televised. Specifically, it authorizes the presiding judge to permit media coverage of court proceedings, subject to requirements and limitations. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Chuck Grassley (IA) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.