This is the third in the series of 13 episodes. This documentary examines the competing values and interests of courtroom media coverage through court testimony, music, and archival material. Sponsored by the Pacifica Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation with funding from the Deer Creek Foundation, St. Louis, Missouri; and the California Council for the Humanities, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Bicentennial Edition researched, edited, and produced by Adi Gevins, 1987; engineered by David Rapkin; announcer is Kathy McAnally; original program produced by Richard Mahler, 1983.
Folio notes: Perceived values and risks involved in television coverage of court proceedings are highly charged. What effect has it had on the public’s right to know? Do cameras affect the right to privacy? Are cases more apt to be sensationalized? Does television coverage jeopardize the right to a fair trial? And what about popular court-related TV shows? This program mixes courtroom testimony, music, and archival material with narration and commentary by experts to leave the audience to consider the competing values and interests in courtroom coverage by television journalists as an issue of balance and values: free press and fair trial. Participants and consultants include Vivian Berger, Professor of Law, Columbia; Norman Davis, former broadcasting executive; Rose Bird, former California Chief Justice; Floyd Abrams, attorney; Ernest Schultz, Radion/Television News Directors Association; George Gerbner, Dean, Annenberg School of Communications, University of Pennsylvania. Bicentennial Edition produced by Adi Gevins, 1987; original program produced by Richard Mahler, 1983.