Rule 72 - News Media CoverageSection 72.1 News media coverage permittedExcept as provided in sections 72.2 through 72.4, the court shall permit news media coverage.
(Probate Court Rules, section 65.5.)
Section 72.2 News media coverage not permitted(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), news media coverage is not permitted in the following types of matters:(1) involuntary placement of a person with intellectual disability;(2) commitment for treatment of psychiatric disability;(3) administration of shock therapy;(4) medication for treatment of psychiatric disability;(5) appointment of a special limited conservator;(6) commitment for treatment of drug and alcohol dependency;(7) commitment for treatment of tuberculosis;(8) appointment of a guardian of an adult with intellectual disability;(10) removal of parent as guardian;(11) temporary guardianship;(12) termination of parental rights;(13) appointment of a statutory parent;(15) emancipation of a minor;(16) a hearing or conference or part of a hearing or conference that is closed under rule 16;(17) a request under C.G.S. section 45a-100 for relief from federal firearms disability;(18) a mediation session; and(19) any other hearing or conference that is confidential under statute.(b) The court may allow news media coverage of a hearing or conference in a type of matter listed in subsection (a) if all parties consent.(c) News media shall not operate any type of recording or photographic equipment in the court during a recess.(d) News media coverage of any communication between an attorney and the attorney's client is prohibited.(e) News media coverage is prohibited in areas immediately adjacent to the courtroom during a hearing or conference or during a recess. (C.G.S. sections 17a-274(b), 17a-500, 17a-688(a), 19a-265(o), 45a-670, 45a-692 and 45a-754(a), Probate Court Rules, rule 16 and section 21.7.)
Section 72.3 Conference to establish conditions of news media coverageOn request of a party or member of the news media or on the court's own motion, the court may conduct a conference concerning news media coverage of a hearing. At the conclusion of the conference, the court may issue an order establishing the conditions of news media coverage. The court shall not limit or prohibit news media coverage unless the requirements of section 72.4 have been met.
Section 72.4 Objection to news media coverage(a) A party who seeks to limit or prohibit news media coverage of a hearing shall file a written objection alleging the reasons for the objection. The court may initiate a proceeding to limit or prohibit news media coverage on its own motion.(b) The court shall give notice of the hearing to each party and attorney of record and to each person whose rights are at issue, including a member of the news media that has indicated interest in covering the hearing.(c) Any person whom the court determines has an interest in the proceeding may present evidence and argument as to whether news media coverage should be limited or prohibited.(d) The court may limit or prohibit news media coverage if it finds that: (1) there is a compelling reason for the limitation or prohibition, in that news media coverage would undermine the legal rights of a party or compromise significant safety or privacy interests of a person;(2) there are no reasonable alternatives to limitation or prohibition; and(3) the limitation or prohibition is no broader than necessary to protect the rights or interests at issue.(e) When deciding whether to limit or prohibit news media coverage, the court shall give great weight to an objection that seeks to protect the identity of a: (4) relocated witness; or(f) If the court issues an order limiting or prohibiting news media coverage, the court shall specify: (1) the compelling reason on which the order is based;(2) the alternatives to limitation or prohibition that the court considered and the reasons why the alternatives were unavailable or inadequate;(3) the basis for the determination that the order is no broader than necessary to protect the rights or interests at issue; and(4) the scope and duration of the order. Section 72.5 Recording and photographic equipmentNews media shall not use recording and photographic equipment that produces distracting sound or light. No equipment shall be placed in, or removed from, a courtroom during a hearing or conference. Equipment shall be operated in a manner that is not disruptive to the hearing or conference.
Section 72.6 Pooling arrangement for news mediaThe court may require a pooling arrangement for news media coverage in the manner provided in Connecticut Practice Book section 1-11B.
Section 72.7 Public comment by attorneyRule 3.6 of the Rules of Professional Conduct shall govern public comment by an attorney about a pending or impending matter.
Rule 72 adopted effective 7/1/2013. Samended effective July 1, 2015. Section 72.2 amended effective 7/1/2017. Section 72.2 amended1/1/2020.