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This bill — known as the Eyes on the Courts Act of 2017 — would require the presiding judge of a U.S. appellate court, including the Supreme Court, to permit the photographing, electronic recording, audio-visual coverage, broadcasting, televising, or live-streaming of appellate court proceedings to or for the public. Exceptions could be made if the judge determines, either independently or upon a motion of a party, that making proceedings public either violates a party’s due process rights or is not in the interests of justice.

The Judicial Conference of the United States would create mandatory guidelines with respect to the management and administration of photographs, recordings, broadcasts, television segments, or streaming video that results from this coverage of the courts.

Additionally, the presiding judge of each appellate court could impose rules and disciplinary measures for the courtroom use of any form of media or media equipment, as well as the acquisition or distribution of any of the images or sounds obtained in the courtroom.

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Should Supreme Court Proceedings be Televised?