since9
Campaign Veteran
The Supreme Court is currently split 4-3 towards not allowing cameras, but those two undecided votes could swing the majority in favor of allowing them.
Courts are bound by Federal Rules, Federal Rule 53 states:
The rule previously included radio broadcasting, but that was later deleted. I am supposing that FR53 was put into effect at a time back when radio and television broadcasting equipment was fairly new, quite bulky, and with television requiring intense lighting.
From what I gather, the primary reason involves two two factors:
1. Making a potentially public record of words or actions that the judge orders stricken from the record. If the court recorder is the only only making any transcript, that's easy. If people are recording audio/video, that's impossible.
2. Publicizing key elements of the court proceedings that may prejudice backup jurors. This somewhat overlaps the previous one, but each contain their own ramifications.