New York State’s Restrictions on Court Recordings in the Age of Digital Media: The Impact on Trump’s Trial

In New York state, it is illegal to record audio and video of court proceedings. This has sparked controversy as it limits the public’s ability to closely follow Trump’s trial. The trial began in April at Manhattan criminal court and is expected to last until June. Despite high interest from the media and the American public, only a few reporters are allowed to attend, but they are not allowed to film or take photos.

The restrictions on recording in New York courts date back nearly 100 years, originating from a regulation established after the chaotic trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann in 1935. Concerns about the integrity of court proceedings when the media is present led to regulations that prohibit live recording and broadcasting during court proceedings. Although many states have relaxed these restrictions over time, New York and Louisiana remain two states that continue to ban cameras in court proceedings.

This has raised controversy in New York, with some arguing that the state’s regulations are excessive and inhibit transparency. Efforts to pass legislation allowing judges in New York to decide on audio and video recording have been unsuccessful, leaving the public reliant on media reports for information on significant trials like Trump’s.

The lack of live coverage in Trump’s trial has drawn attention to the limitations of New York’s restrictions, with some critics arguing that the public has a right to witness such influential trials firsthand. Without cameras in the courtroom, the public is left relying on reporters who attend the trials to provide accounts of the proceedings. The decision to prohibit cameras in New York courts has implications for how the public perceives high-profile cases and the transparency of