There are two sides to every issue and the debate over
cameras in the courtroom is a good example of this. I found a youtube video
that examines this issue by giving reasons as to why they should be allowed and
why they shouldn’t. The video is from the television show titled The Agenda with Steve Paikin.
If you have the time, watch the whole video because it is helpful in understanding what deeper issues are involved. If you just want to
skim through it, I recommend that you watch the first seven minutes of the clip
because it outlines the opinions of the individuals who are from the legal
community.
The debate (from the above video clip) included: Ray Wyant, Jamie Chaffe, William
Trudell, May Moran and Jean Cumming (Paikin, 2011 March).
Wyant is a retired provincial judge who is for the idea
of cameras in the courtroom. He feels that it can be used to help educate the
public on the legal processes. He says that if they are used there need to be
rules implemented so it does not become chaotic (Paikin, 2011 March).
Jamie Chaffe is a crown counsel and is against the idea
of cameras in the courtroom. He feels that it would put added pressure on the
witnesses who are required to testify and complicate the legal proceedings
further (Paikin, 2011 March).
William Trudell is a defense counsel and is also against
the idea of cameras in the courtroom. Not using cameras protects the accused,
who if found not guilty, will need to reintegrate back into the community. Televising
such trials would shed a negative light on the accused and therefore
reintegration would be difficult for him or her. Not using cameras in the courtroom is also for
the protection of the jurors who are doing their civic duty and do not need to
be exposed in any way (Paikin, 2011 March).
Mayo Moran is the dean of the University of Toronto law
school and is against the idea of cameras in the courtroom when dealing with
trials. She feels that in some appellate cases they can be allowed as a
teaching tool, but not for criminal matters or complex and emotional cases
(Paikin, 2011 March).
Jean Cumming is an editor in chief for Lexpert magazine
and she feels that cameras should be allowed because that is what the public
and media want (Paikin, 2011 March).
I agree with Ray, Jamie, William and Mayo that cameras
should not be allowed in the courtroom. In my opinion, it would become too
chaotic and trials would lose their main purpose which is to punish the
individual for wrongdoing. I also feel that Canada is not ready for such an
advancement and that we should not implement such technology just because the United
States already has.
I have to disagree with Jean when she said that cameras in the courtroom is what the
public wants. In my opinion, the public is not the media and we should not be generalized
as such. I think the overall opinion of the public is that they want the law in general to function well. This means that the right individuals are punished for the
right reasons.
The media on the other hand, would love to see cameras in the courtroom because criminal trials will increase their ratings.
The media on the other hand, would love to see cameras in the courtroom because criminal trials will increase their ratings.
Reference
Paikin,
S. (2011, March 24). Cameras in the Courtroom. [Video file]. Retrieved from
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