Reporters Committee asks U.S. Supreme Court to allow audio, video coverage of health-care reform arguments

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has written to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts asking the Court to allow audio and video recording of upcoming oral arguments in the three cases involving proposed federal health-care legislation.

“Because the health care reform law deeply affects millions of Americans, there likely will be a strong interest nationwide in closely following the proceedings as, or shortly after, they occur,” the Reporters Committee letter stated. “As such, the Court’s current policy of releasing audio recordings of arguments at the end of the week will not adequately satisfy this strong public interest in being timely informed of important developments in a matter of such overwhelming impact on such a widespread scale.”

The letter also noted that delaying the release of argument recordings “will impede journalists’ ability to provide same-day coverage of the arguments.” The following media organizations joined the Reporters Committee’s letter:

“Federal health-care reform affects everyone’s well-being, and everyone has the right to see and hear the arguments over this important issue made before the highest court in the country,” said Reporters Committee Executive Director Lucy A. Dalglish. “And they have the right to see it and hear it as it happens.”

Barring the approval of cameras in the Supreme Court, the Reporters Committee proposed the Court at least consider immediate release of audio recordings, such as it did during the contested presidential election of 2000 and when considering campaign finance reform laws.

“To be sure, the American public’s access to affordable health care is among the most significant issues to inform public debate in this country and to come before its highest Court in many years,” the letter said. “The time has come” for public access to include visual recordings.

About the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

Founded in 1970, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press offers free legal support to thousands of working journalists and media lawyers each year. It is a leader in the fight against persistent efforts by government officials to impede the release of public information, whether by withholding documents or threatening reporters with jail. In addition to its 24/7 Legal Defense Hotline, the Reporters Committee conducts cutting-edge legal research, publishes handbooks and guides on media law issues, files frequent friend-of-the-court legal briefs and offers challenging fellowships and internships for young lawyers and journalists. For more information, go to www.rcfp.org, or follow us on Twitter @rcfp.