Audio-visual Coverage of Courts
A Comparative Analysis

A comparative analysis of five common law countries' cameras-in-courts experiences and regulation of audio-visual reporting.

Daniel Stepniak (Author)

9781107406520, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 16 August 2012

528 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.7 cm, 0.7 kg

Review of the hardback: '… an excellent review of the state of play within the debate surrounding the presence of cameras in courtrooms … The author is to be highly commended … Audio-visual Coverage of Courts … is well-written, highly accessible and clearly argued throughout … a fine book indeed, and ought to be considered both a benchmark and a starting point for any serious future study on this emotive and important aspect of open justice within common law jurisdictions and beyond.' Communications Law

Researched over a period of 15 years by an author who has personally participated in the debate internationally, Audio-Visual Coverage of Courts was the first book to undertake a comprehensive comparative study of televised court proceedings in Great Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Exhaustive in his identification and analysis of relevant law and key developments, Daniel Stepniak draws on hitherto unpublished primary sources to undertake a largely unprecedented examination of the experiences of non-US courts. Through analysis of the regulation of audio-visual reporting, the author outlines a theoretical framework and proven action plan for the attainment of the potential benefits of audio-visual coverage, arguing that technological advances, acknowledgement of legally enforceable rights and, above all, judicial recognition of courts' vested interest in facilitating coverage in order to promote greater public access and understanding of judicial proceedings, have led audio-visual coverage to be increasingly perceived as desirable.

1. Introduction
2. United Kingdom
3. Key American experiences
4. Canada
5. Australia
6. New Zealand
7. Comparative analysis of findings and conclusions
8. Appendices.

Subject Areas: Entertainment & media law [LNJ], Comparative law [LAM]