Skip to main content

Home/ Cameras in courtrooms/ Contents contributed and discussions participated by Cathryn Bahe

Contents contributed and discussions participated by Cathryn Bahe

Simple Middle Filter: All | Bookmarks | Topics
Cathryn Bahe

Cameras in Courtrooms: Debatabase - Debate Topics and Debate Motions - 2 views

www.idebate.org/...topic_details.php

shared by Cathryn Bahe on 16 Feb 10 - Cached
  • misled.
  • A video record of a trial will provide a powerful new tool for both the judiciary and the defendant.
  • There is therefore no constitutional reason why trials should not be televised. However, at the moment only a few people can take advantage of their rights. As courts sit during the week, it is difficult for people in full-time employment to watch a trial. Travelling to courts across the country is costly. The galleries for the public have only a limited number of spaces. Visitors to well- publicised trials often have to arrive several hours in advance of the hearing in order to ensure a seat. We should not have to make such sacrifices of time and money in order to enjoy our democratic rights.
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • Coverage on television could include a commentary that would make watching a trial a more profitable and educational experience. In the age of the television, and even the internet, we should utilise modern technology to enhance the rights of the citizens.
  • Courts should be televised for the same reason that we see the proceedings in parliament on our televisions.
  • Consequently, the decisions in courts could have as much impact on our lives as those taken in parliament. We have a right to know about these decisions.Secondly, even if every case does not determine new law, we should know how laws are to be applied.
  • Putting cameras in court will improve public confidence in the judiciary and the system of justice as a whole.
  • Yet, by watching the video record of this evidence, judges would be able to assess the demeanour, body language and overall impression given by each witness ; elements that are inevitably missing from a written transcript. These characteristics are nevertheless necessary in order to ascertain the veracity of the evidence.
  • Putting cameras into court will improve the trial process, as public monitoring provides a powerful incentive for the judiciary and the lawyers to increase their efficiency and adhere to good standards of behaviour
  • Televised trials will be an antidote to the hysterical and sensationalist coverage of trials that we see in the print media. Instead of relying on a journalist’s report of a case, and the sketches of a courtroom artist, we will be able to see for ourselves the evidence, the demeanour of the defendant, and the trial process. Cameras in the courtroom will prevent the public being misled
  • Would any judge make an occasional ignorant comment if he or she knew that it would be beamed into every home in the land?
1 - 1 of 1
Showing 20▼ items per page