Cameras in court; progressing with the times, or crossing the line?

The whole world can watch Oscar Pistorious’s trial online, streamed live from South Africa. While the world waits with baited breath to hear the verdict (Not guilty in my opinion!) There is another debate going on worldwide about the use of cameras and smartphones in courtrooms.

In the Pistorious trial there has been a lot of confusion about what can and can’t be broadcasted, with the Judge even telling the journalists that they ‘must not tweet’ through some sensitive testimonies and information (which is obviously understandable.) But what exactly are the arguments for and against live broadcasts?

FOR:

11.  Having a camera in the courtroom obviously increases transparency with court cases, with anyone and everyone being able to watch, if mistakes or unfair decisions are made, someone will notice. The legal system has often been criticized for being unclear and complicated, and cameras could help with this.

22.   With almost everyone now using smartphones; from keeping in contact to becoming a photographer, it’s hard to believe that courtrooms still aren’t moving with the times, so to speak. If technology continues to progress in the way that it is doing, this will eventually be inevitable anyway.

33. As we can see with the Oscar Pistorious trial, not everything is broadcast. Witness statements can be cut out and edited, and sound can be used when the cameras are not rolling. There is also a point that if you can walk into a courtroom as a stranger and view the case as a member of the public, then why you can’t watch it at home in the same way.

AGAINST:

11.Camera presence can change people’s behaviour, from the judge to the jury, to the witnesses to the defendant. People change when they’re put in front of a camera. If the speakers are nervous now, they’re going to be a LOT more nervous when they know they could be being watched by potentially thousands of people.

22. What happens in court, stays in court. The courtroom can be an immensely private and emotional place, with divorces, deaths and family matters being discussed, a lot of people want to keep their business private and would be horrified at the thought of having it televised for all to see.

  

  3.Who’s gaining financially from it? Nothing more needs to be said

Social Media in Courtrooms.

Twitter is being used more than any other form of social media over this trial, probably because its so fast to get news out, and the 140 character limitations are great for getting to the point and capturing a glimpse of what’s happening in courts. There is a channel on twitter dedicated to the Oscar Trial, and updates over 40 times an hour when the trial is ongoing! So even if you cant watch the trial, you have someone writing the important quotes down for you!

While journalists around the world tweet live news, updating everyone from inside the courtroom (let’s hope they have Wi-Fi!) Millions are tweeting their own views, and some even go as far to create parody accounts. (see below) though they are absolutely hilarious, you can’t help thinking that someone’s life is on the line.