LETTER: Camera ban of no debate

By Jared Gibbons

To the editor:

The fact that the all important broadcast journalits’ cameras were not allowed into the Ball Room Monday afternoon is completely irrelevant, illogical and against the Court’s policy. Here is my response for each.

I, an average non-journalist, non-political science student, found the Court’s policy in five minutes, which I handed to The Statesman office promptly. The question, found at http://www.supremecourtus.gov/publicinfo/reportersguide.pdf, reads:

Q: Will anyone at the Court speak on camera or agree to be recorded for radio regarding a Court decision?

A: We follow the example of the Court. Sorry, the answer is “no.”

Regardless of policy, any speaker or lecturer who comes to campus and requests not to be on video has that right.

I walked right in and sat down. Even people who don’t agree with the Honorable Justice Scalia were there and even asked questions afterward. No First Amendment rights were violated.

Has there always been cameras, iPods, etc.? No. Are you trying to tell me that people who lived before such inventions had their First Amendment rights violated? Modern technology might be facilitative in regards to our rights but in no means obligatory.

Jared Gibbons