Friday, September 09, 2011

Strictly Come Judging?

Much discussion about this proposal to allow TV cameras into courts.  The argument for is that anybody can sit in the public gallery and watch the proceedings, so why should those who for whatever reason can't do that be denied the experience.  The arguments against are mainly that there is a danger that those taking part will be inclined to play to the camera - "showboating" as it is called.  I think the most equitable answer is contained within those arguments - put the camera in the public gallery so that what it shows is no more and no less than that which would be seen by anybody sitting there - no close-ups or indeed any directorial input at all.  Effectively the camera becomes just another person in the public gallery.  Whether this would make for good TV of course is another matter.

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