Constitutional Law

Supreme Court to post audio of every argument online

By By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON ? The Supreme Court is broadening access to audio recordings of all of its arguments, but ending its practice of same-day release of audio in high-profile cases.

Beginning with the new term next week, the Court will post audio files of each week's arguments on its website on Fridays. The Court has for several years put the argument transcripts on the site within hours of the arguments.

Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said yesterday that the justices have decided they will no longer entertain requests from broadcasters for the same-day release of audio recordings. Last term, the justices rejected every broadcaster request.

Audio in big cases had been occasionally provided to broadcasters since the Bush v. Gore case that helped settle the 2000 presidential election.

Susan Swain ? president of the C-SPAN cable network, which airs live broadcasts of congressional sessions ? said she hoped the Court would move to same-day release of all the arguments "and ultimately, television coverage of its public sessions."

The Court bars reporters from carrying audio recorders and cameras into the courtroom.

Full post as published by First Amendment Center on September 28, 2010 (boomark / email).