High Court says no to allowing cameras to broadcast the health law arguments

Mar 19 2012

This announcement, made Friday, is consistent with tradition. However, the court will make available same-day audio of the oral arguments because of "extraordinary public interest."

NPR: Supreme Court Will Release Same-Day Audio Of Health Care Arguments
The U.S. Supreme Court has announced that it will make available same-day audio of upcoming oral arguments later this month, arguments that could determine the fate of the Obama health care overhaul. In a three-paragraph announcement, the court said it is making the same-day audio available because of the "extraordinary public interest" in the health care cases. The legal challenges to the law are to be argued for six hours over a three-day period at the end of March (Totenberg, 3/16).

The Washington Post: Supreme Court Will Not Allow Cameras For Health-Care Arguments, Will Release Audio
The Supreme Court will stick with tradition and bar cameras from the courtroom this month, turning down requests that it televise oral arguments on the constitutionality of the nation's health-care overhaul, the court said Friday. The court will release same-day audio recordings of the arguments, which are scheduled to last six hours over three days, March 26 to 28 (Barnes, 3/16).

Reuters: Supreme Court To Release Audio In Healthcare Cases
The U.S. Supreme Court said on Friday it will release audio recordings and transcripts of oral arguments in the healthcare challenge immediately after the March 26-28 sessions, responding to what it called "extraordinary public interest." The court rejected a request, however, from C-SPAN, endorsed by some members of Congress, to allow video recordings of the arguments. The court has long barred cameras from its white marble setting - a practice that has drawn criticism from Congress and media groups (3/16).

Des Moines Register: Chuck Grassley: No Cameras In Health Care Hearing A Disappointment
A request that cameras be allowed in a federal courtroom where arguments will be heard on the constitutionality of the 2010 healthcare reform has been denied and is disappointing, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley said in a statement today... In a letter sent in November to the Chief Justice, Grassley had recommended that audio and video coverage of the arguments be allowed. Grassley argued that the law was so massive in size and scope and had an effect on every American (Clayworth, 3/16).