(1)Equipment specifications. Equipment used by the news media in courtrooms during judicial proceedings must be unobtrusive and must not produce distracting sound. In addition, such equipment must satisfy the following criteria, where applicable: a. Still cameras. Still cameras and lenses must be unobtrusive and not cause distracting light or sound.b. Television cameras and related equipment. Television cameras, together with any related equipment to be located in the courtroom, must be unobtrusive in both size and appearance, without distracting sound or light. Television cameras are to be designed or modified so that participants in the judicial proceedings are unable to determine when recording is occurring.c. Audio equipment. Microphones, wiring, and audio recording equipment must be unobtrusive and of adequate technical quality to prevent interference with the judicial proceeding being covered. The judicial officer must approve any changes in existing audio systems. No modifications of existing systems shall be made at public expense. Microphones for attorneys and judicial officers to use must be equipped with off/on switches to facilitate compliance with rule 25.2(7).d. Electronic devices. All electronic devices used for recording audio, video, or still images must adhere to rule 25.4(3)(a). All other electronic devices not used for recording audio, video, or still images must be unobtrusive and not cause distracting light or sound, and are not subject to the limitations of rule 25.4(3)(a). Electronic devices include, but are not limited to, laptop computers, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, smart phones, and tablet computers.e. Advance approval. It is the duty of news media personnel to demonstrate to the judicial officer reasonably in advance of the proceeding that the equipment sought to be utilized meets the criteria set forth in this rule. Failure to obtain advance judicial approval for equipment may preclude its use in the proceeding. All news media equipment and personnel must be in place at least fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled time of commencement of the proceeding.(2)Lighting. Other than light sources already existing in the courtroom, no flashbulbs or other artificial light device of any kind shall be employed in the courtroom. With authorization from the judicial officer modifications may be made in light sources existing in the courtroom (e.g., higher wattage lightbulbs), provided such modifications are installed and maintained without public expense.(3)Equipment and pooling. The following limitations on the amount of equipment and number of photographic and broadcast news media personnel in the courtroom apply: a. Video recording, audio recording, and still photography. Not more than five total members of the news media using still cameras, television cameras, audio recorders, and electronic devices, or any combination of the four, to photograph, video, or record audio are permitted in the courtroom during a judicial proceeding. Each still photographer may use two camera bodies each with a fixed lens or one camera body and two lenses. Where possible, all recording and broadcasting equipment that is not a component part of a camera or an electronic device and any operating personnel shall be located outside of the courtroom. Audio pickup for broadcast coverage must be accomplished from any existing audio system present in the courtroom if such pickup would be technically suitable for broadcast.b. Electronic devices not used for recording audio, video, or still images. The devices defined in rule 25 A(1)(d) may be used in the courtroom by members of the news media for live electronic reporting with advance approval from the judicial officer, provided the equipment does not make any disruptive noise or interfere with court equipment. Electronic devices may not be used for telephone calls by anyone in the courtroom. Electronic devices for photography, video recording, audio recording, or streaming video may not be used by anyone in the courtroom unless approved by the judicial officer in advance of the proceeding as defined in rule 25.4(3)(a). The rule applies to news media only as defined in rule 25.1. Use of electronic devices for purposes other than expanded news media coverage is at the discretion of the court.c. Pooling. Where the above limitations on equipment and personnel make it necessary, the news media shall be required to pool equipment and personnel. Pooling arrangements are the sole responsibility of the news media coordinator, and the judicial officer will not mediate any dispute as to the appropriate news media representatives authorized to cover a particular judicial proceeding. Representatives of news media are responsible for contributing to electronic pool coverage of judicial proceedings when necessary. If a news organization is incapable of contributing to pool coverage, the news media coordinator may allow the news organization to share the pool coverage or may restrict the news organization's coverage.(4)Location of equipment and personnel. Equipment and operating personnel, including news media using electronic devices to transmit and receive data communication, must be located in, and coverage of the proceedings must take place from, an area or areas the judicial officer designates within the courtroom. The area or areas designated shall provide reasonable access to the proceeding to be covered.(5)Movement during proceedings. Television cameras and audio equipment may be installed in or removed from the courtroom only when the court is not in session. In addition, such equipment shall at all times be operated from a fixed position. News media personnel are prohibited from moving about the courtroom while proceedings are in session and from engaging in any movement that attracts undue attention.(6)Decorum. All news media personnel shall be properly attired and shall maintain proper courtroom decorum at all times while covering a judicial proceeding.R. Exapand. New. Media Cov. 25.4
Court Order October 9, 1975; 12/22/1981 - received and published May 1982; July 19, 1989; March 9, 1994, effective 4/1/1994; 11/9/2001, effective 2/15/2002; 4/2/2014, effective 5/1/2014; court order January 14, 2022, effective 1/14/2022.