The Supreme Court battled modern technology again Monday and, as usual, the court won.
A CNN intern violated court rules by using a GoPro camera strapped to his chest to record inside the court’s Public Information Office.
CNN quickly apologized since recording devices aren’t just barred from the court itself but also both its press room and Public Information Office next door.
“We profusely apologize to the court,” CNN said.
The court doesn’t allow TV cameras despite years of calls to do so. The justices tend to be split on the matter but are swimming against a modern tide. Cameras are increasingly common in courts worldwide and in the U.S., notably in all 50 states, where some form of audio or video coverage is allowed.
Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to let federal judges to decide whether to allow cameras in their courtrooms.
Typical of how it operates, the Supreme Court releases audio recordings of its oral arguments only at the end of a given court work week. On occasion, it will actually release them the same day, as was the case with its much-watched oral arguments over same-sex marriage on April 28.
Meanwhile, the justices have at times been rather open about their fumbling with technology.
That was evident last year during oral arguments in a copyright infringement case brought by major TV networks against a New York start-up, Aereo, that was pulling their signals from the airwaves. I watched it for myself in the court that morning.
The court ultimately ruled against Aereo.
