By Lee Kyung-min
The Supreme Court delayed a decision on whether to allow live broadcasts of court proceedings, as the justices failed to agree on the particulars citing far-reaching consequences.
The nation’s top court said Thursday its justices were unable to reach an agreement on whether broadcasts should be allowed at all, and, if they should, to what extent. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday.
“The meeting was postponed as the justices had differing opinions. They will convene a meeting next week to further discuss the issue,” a member of the judicial circle said.
Currently, taking pictures or video footage inside a courtroom for a few minutes immediately before a trial begins is allowed with the approval of the presiding judge. The judge, however, cannot allow it without the prior consent from both the defendant and the plaintiff.
Supporters of live broadcasts say they help guarantee transparency of the trials and the public’s right to know.
However, justices worry that allowing them might derail judicial proceedings, ending up trivializing trials.
Defense attorneys, the justices cautioned, may become more concerned with speech mannerisms and presentation skills rather than arguing the facts. Witnesses or defendants may get intimidated by the pressure of going live on air, withdrawing from speaking up fully.
Broadcasts of ideologically divisive issues, another concern goes, might also contribute to worsening ideological conflicts among the already polarized public.
According to a survey by the Office of Court Administration under the Supreme Court of 1,013 judges nationwide, 687, or 68 percent, said the whole or parts of court proceedings should be broadcast with the approval of the presiding judge.