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Company News: Blog
In praise of naked judges
03 September 2010
Like everybody else in the legal community I'm following with prurient interest the trials and tribulations of embattled associate chief justice of Manitoba, Lori Douglas, who was ousted by a disgruntled client of her husband's law firm. Nude photographs of her were posted, apparently without...
03 September 2010
Like everybody else in the legal community I'm following with prurient interest the trials and tribulations of embattled associate chief justice of Manitoba, Lori Douglas, who was ousted by a disgruntled client of her husband's law firm. Nude photographs of her were posted, apparently without...
- 07 August 2010 It's a dog's life
- 12 July 2010 Governor General Designate with legal background
Cameras to roll in court |
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| Written by Christopher Green |
| Saturday, 20 March 2010 00:00 |
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A cautious thumbs-up to the Attorney General's initiative to bring cameras into the courts. Over the past 30 odd years of going to court, I've been in the situation a number of times where press coverage has been involved, and it is oft times a surreal experience to read or view a news article that appears to bear little or no resemblance to what actually transpired in court. The public often get a distorted and sensationalized version of actual courtroom events, and it’s hard to escape the conclusion that cameras and microphones may give a more accurate rendering of the proceedings. So, for the sake of accuracy, I think televised court proceedings are a good thing. I worry, however, because court proceedings are not very telegenic overall. Lawyers and witnesses are not actors. They mumble and stutter and ramble, and most of what is said is tedious, at best. Many cases move with the speed of a glacier, stopping and starting over a period of months, or even years, and even interesting trials are punctuated with long hours of droning legal argument. If judges and lawyers sometimes have a hard time keeping awake, what can we expect of the viewers? If we then begin to edit the video footage to make for better TV, we lose accuracy and are in danger of reverting to sensationalized, heavily edited reporting. I do applaud the Attorney General for having the courage to give it a try. It is only by implementing video coverage on a trial basis that we can properly assess the benefits and pitfalls. Personally, I don't think I'm quite ready for my close- up, Mr. DeMille, so let’s hope the cameras don't roll in a foreclosure or probate court anytime soon. |
