Media and Courts Committee meets in Meridian next month
By Staff
special to The Star
September 28, 2002
A special committee created by the Mississippi Supreme Court will hold a public meeting in Meridian on Oct. 11.
The group is considering ways to increase access and cooperation between news organizations and courts. It was created by the Mississippi Supreme Court.
The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. in the third-floor courtroom at the Lauderdale County Courthouse.
One of the issues scheduled for discussion is whether cameras should be permitted in courtrooms during trials. The Code of Judicial Conduct currently prohibits cameras in trial courts.
The committee is studying not only public access to the courts but also the relationship between reporters and court officials.
One of the goals of the committee is to enhance that relationship in order to educate the public about how courts work and strengthen public confidence in the court system.
The meeting in Meridian is expected to be the last public hearing conducted by the study committee. Other meetings were conducted in Jackson, Tupelo, Gulfport and Greenville.