Costco Connection - September 2012

YES

from members:

Barbara Shannon Fenton, MO

Their decisions affect so much of American life and we need to know the real story.

Nathaniel L. Black Sterling Heights, MI

We are, supposedly, a nation based on freedom. So how can we be fully free if we harbor secretive proceedings?

MEDIA BAKERY

Should Supreme
Court proceedings
Beulah Lawrence
Beaverton, OR

be televised?
NO

THE SUPREME COURT case about the Affordable Care Act has reignited a long-standing debate about whether television cameras should be present in the country’s highest court of the land.

Supporters say that since the Supreme Court decides matters of significant public interest, its processes should be widely accessible to the public. In addition to making it easier for the public to follow and understand cases, video coverage of oral arguments would make the justices more accountable.

Opponents point out that Supreme Court transcripts and audio recordings are already public. They argue that televising the oral arguments would only tempt attorneys to play to the cameras, make the justices self-conscious and allow video clips to be taken out of context, possibly misleading the public. What do you think?

from members: Jose Oscar DeSouza Dallas, TX

Anything displayed
on TV has [a] slightly
different effect
on people. It’s our
highest court
system making really impor-
tant and serious decisions.
They should be left alone.