§ 14-104. News coverage of judicial proceedings.

(a)

Unless otherwise ordered by the judge after an appropriate hearing (conducted after notice to all parties and counsel of record) and findings, representatives of the print and electronic public media may be present at and unobtrusively make written notes and sketches pertaining to any judicial proceedings in the court.

(b)

Due to the distractive nature of electronic or photographic equipment, representatives of the public media utilizing such equipment are subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

(1)

Persons desiring to broadcast/record/photograph official court proceedings must file a timely written request with the court prior to the hearing or trial, specifying:

a.

The particular case or proceedings for which such coverage is intended;

b.

The type of equipment to be used in the courtroom;

c.

The trial, hearing or proceeding to be covered; and

d.

The person responsible for the installation and operation of such equipment.

(2)

Approval of the judge to broadcast/record/photograph a proceeding, if granted, shall be granted without partiality or preference to any person, news agency, or type of electronic or photographic coverage, who agrees to abide by and conform to these rules, up to the capacity of the space designated therefor in the courtroom. Violation of these rules will be grounds for a reporter/technician to be removed or excluded from the courtroom and held in contempt.

(3)

The judge may exercise discretion and require pooled coverage, which would allow only one still photographer, one television camera and attendant, and one radio or tape recorder outlet and attendant. Photographers, electronic reporters and technicians shall be expected to arrange among themselves pooled coverage if so directed by the judge and to present the judge with a schedule and description of the pooled coverage. If the covering persons cannot agree on such a schedule or arrangement, the schedule and arrangements for pooled coverage may be designated at the judge's discretion.

(4)

The positioning and removal of cameras and electronic devices shall be done quietly and, if possible, before or after the court session or during recesses; in no event shall such disturb the proceedings of the court, In every such case, equipment should be in place and ready to operate before the time court is scheduled to be called to order.

(5)

Overhead lights in the courtroom shall be switched on and off only by court personnel. No other lights, flashbulbs, flashes or sudden light changes may be used unless the judge approves beforehand.

(6)

No adjustment of the central audio system shall be made except by persons authorized by the judge. Audio recordings of the court proceedings will be from one source, normally by connection to the court's central audio system. Upon prior approval of the court, other microphones may be added in an unobtrusive manner.

(7)

All television cameras, still cameras and tape recorders shall be assigned to a specific portion of the public area of the courtroom or specially designed access areas, and such equipment will not be permitted to be removed or relocated during the court proceedings.

(8)

Still cameras must have quiet functioning shutters and advancers. Movie and television cameras and broadcasting and recording devices must be quiet running. If any equipment is determined by the judge to be of such noise as to be distractive to the court proceedings, then such equipment can be excluded from the courtroom by the judge.

(9)

Reporters, photographers, and technicians must have and produce upon request of court officials credentials identifying them and the media company for which they work.

(10)

Court proceedings shall not be interrupted by a reporter or technician with a technical or equipment problem.

(11)

Reporters, photographers, and technicians should do everything possible to avoid attracting attention to themselves. Reporters, photographers, and technicians will be accorded full right of access to court proceedings for obtaining public information within the requirements of due process of law, so long as it is done without detracting from the dignity and decorum of the court.

(12)

Other than as permitted by these rules and guidelines, there will be no photographing, radio or television broadcasting, including videotaping pertaining to any judicial proceedings within the courtroom, whether or not the court is actually in session.

(13)

No interviews pertaining to a particular judicial proceeding will be conducted in the courtroom except with the permission of the judge.

(14)

A request for the installation and use of electronic recording, transmission, videotaping or motion picture or still photography of any judicial proceeding shall be evaluated pursuant to the standards set forth in O.C.G.A. § 15-1-10.1.

(Ord. No. 07-04-20, § 1(7), 4-12-2007)