(PartiallyPolitics.com) – In an attempt to get the upcoming federal criminal trials of former President Donald Trump’s legal challenges broadcasted on television, a legal challenge has been launched against Federal Rule 53. The rule specifically blocks the photographing or broadcasting from within the courtroom during judicial proceedings.
The challenge was filed by a number of media organizations, including NBCUniversal Media who have claimed that the rule was infringing on their First Amendment Rights. However, the Department of Justice’s special counsel has opposed the request and has argued that it was necessary for federal courts to follow the Rule 53 mandate. He added that it was also essential that they uphold the statutory or constitutional provision related to this case.
Still, the media coalition has argued that Rule 53 worked as a blanket prohibition that blocked them from broadcasting criminal proceedings to those who were not able to attend in person. However, as NBC Universal has pointed out the prohibition does not cover the usage of a single pool camera that will transmit the trial to a studio. From the studio, the trial can then be broadcast to the broader public. They have also pointed out that the wording of the rule only references “broadcasts from the courtroom” which means that it does not necessarily block having video transmitted to a studio and then distributed.
The challengers have also claimed that the Rule was outdated and that since then technological advancements have been made that would allow for a fair trial with judicial efficiency without having to fear witness intimidation.
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