Camera panning civil dis? (Keene)

[Coconut]

Well what did the court say when you asked them about the no-panning rule?

I only talked to Larry, the court clerk. He said the rule was to protect anyone from being taped that didn't want to be. When I pushed him on this issue, such as the fact that nobody else was in the room, he just fell back on "Well this is a NH District Court rule, not a Keene rule, and this judge has been consistent. You're talking to the wrong people if you want to protest it."



(i) Restrictions .  Unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge, the following standing orders shall govern.

        (1) No flash or other lighting devices will be used.

        (2) Set up and dismantling of equipment is prohibited when court is in session.

        (3) No camera movement during court session.

etc

[Giggan]

"Movement", now there's a generic term.

[John Edward Mercier]

The people in court do not have a right to their privacy. They are in a public place, where what happens gets listed in the newspaper as public record. Video is just another form of public record. The rule about not panning the audience is to make videographers uncomfortable and obedient.

I do see your point. But I like to think that my ethics do not fall so far as the courts.

[Russell Kanning]

The reason he probably issued the order was because he saw it as intimidating for the witness to watch as a camera focuses in on them...how dramatic. Either way, no excuse. Sounds like prime CD.

He wasn't worried about the cops getting intimidated ... they outnumbered us ... and had guns.
He didn't like the idea that the sham was being recorded and wanted to hassle him on anything. They don't like the sense they were getting from us ... that we were not their slaves.

[Dave Ridley]

Inbound to judge burke via private "Canario Courier...."

What:  Attempted "Illegal camera panning"
Where:  Keene District Court, 3 Washington Street, Keene, New Hampshire
When:  Friday, Sept. 26, 2008.  7:45 a.m.
How: Videographer will attempt to man, and pan, his video camera during trial of Keene freedom activist.  Camera movement is forbidden under
  http://www.courts.state.nh.us/rules/dmcr/dmcr-1_4.htm
  And Judge Edward Burke has said he'll begin enforcing the ban.

Why:  There are two objectives...
  1)  Document Nick Ryder's controversial refusal to pay traffic fine (something that can't be done well without panning the camera)
  2)  Protest - and draw attention to - an unacceptable, actively enforced court rule that unnecessarily limits freedom of press

Who:  Dave Ridley, 42, Manchester videographer


Open letter for Judge Edward Burke
Presiding Justice, Keene District Court:

Dear Judge Burke:

Your restraint and politeness in the handling of David Krouse's civil disobedience case this spring...turned me into an unlikely fan.  It was a reminder to liberty lovers that judges in New Hampshire tend to be less violent than those in other places.

However I'm concerned regarding your stated intent to begin enforcing a bizarre rule against video camera panning.   In my fifteen years of service as a TV news videographer, I've never seen anything like it.  To tell a videographer he can't pan or tilt his camera...that's like telling a writer she can't hold a pen.   It violates the spirit of a "speedy and *public* trial." That's dangerous. 

Apparently this is a district court regulation, but it's not acceptable and must be openly challenged.  Unfortunately, I don't have the skills, money or time to effectively use 'the means the state has provided me for changing it."  So I'll follow Thoreau's example and undertake constructive disobedience.

Over the next few days, I will go through the usual process that a videographer undertakes to film in your chambers.  I'll seek clearance to record Nick Ryder's speeding ticket hearing, currently scheduled for 8:30 a.m. September 26th.   In the absence of emergencies or illness, I'll attempt to enter the courtroom with my camera.  I'll try to follow any reasonable rules - and perhaps some unreasonable - that you may wish to impose.  I'll operate as unobtrusively as possible.

But I will not comply with the "pan ban," or any rule that intolerably restricts a videographer's ability to document this taxpayer-funded event.

If you forbid me from entering the courtroom with a camera, I'll ignore the ban and repeatedly attempt peaceable entry.   If allowed in, but ordered to cease panning, I'll respectfully refuse to comply with the command.  If ordered to leave the courtroom for any reason that seems unacceptable, I will politely decline.  I'm ready to undergo arrest or detention, if that's what it takes to bring attention to this First Amendment matter.

This is happening, not becuase of your decent treatment of Krouse, nor your allowance of cameras.  I respect and appreciate those things; they were almost enough to stop me from bothering you with this.  But your court's unacceptable regulations on videographers, and your statement to Ryder indicating that you will begin enforcing them....makes this act of constructive disobedience imperitive.

You have various courses of action to pick from, but in the end...you will either allow me to aim and operate my camera in the courtroom or use force against a harmless citizen.

Yours,


Dave Ridley
RidleyReport.com
(addie, contact info)

[MaineShark]

Bring in several cameras, and set each at a slightly different angle?

Not so much civil disobedience, as simply demonstrating how stupid such rules are, because they are so easily thwarted...

Joe

[FTL_Ian]

Bring in several cameras, and set each at a slightly different angle?

Not so much civil disobedience, as simply demonstrating how stupid such rules are, because they are so easily thwarted...

Joe

It would actually be CD to bring two cameras.  The "judge" claims he only allows one.

[MaineShark]

Bring in several cameras, and set each at a slightly different angle?

Not so much civil disobedience, as simply demonstrating how stupid such rules are, because they are so easily thwarted...

It would actually be CD to bring two cameras.  The "judge" claims he only allows one.

Ah, missed that part.

Bolt two cameras together into one box, and claim that it's now one camera?

We could get creative with this

Joe

[Coconut]

Bring in several cameras, and set each at a slightly different angle?

Not so much civil disobedience, as simply demonstrating how stupid such rules are, because they are so easily thwarted...

It would actually be CD to bring two cameras.  The "judge" claims he only allows one.

Ah, missed that part.

Bolt two cameras together into one box, and claim that it's now one camera?

We could get creative with this

Joe

Are you in Keene? If not, how long until you're here?

[MaineShark]

Are you in Keene? If not, how long until you're here?

I'm near Concord.  I probably end up visiting Keene about twice per year.

Anyway, I don't intentionally enter court buildings.

Joe

[KBCraig]

Is there a speed limit to determine when it's "panning"? You could put it on a telescope mount. See if he notices it moving 90 degrees in 15 minutes or so.

[Coconut]

Is there a speed limit to determine when it's "panning"? You could put it on a telescope mount. See if he notices it moving 90 degrees in 15 minutes or so.

Except that the point to panning is to cover the event as best as possible, not to test the judge's geometry.

[FTL_Ian]

Added to the Free Keene Calendar
http://forum.freekeene.com/index.php?topic=133.msg783#msg783

[Dave Ridley]

okie this is tomorrow... things happening fast this month

[Dave Ridley]

Since it is not possible to fax or email judge burke would someone be willing to hand deliver this to his office at a point of convenience?   I dont have a printer to snail mail him a decent note. 

----

10/2/08

Judge Burke:  Wanted to commend you for your handling of the courtroom events on 9/26.  Thanks for showing respect for freedom of the press and above all, for having the guts to admit an overly strict interpretation of the rules regarding camera movement.

Your staff was courteous and accommodating as well.  Would that all representatives of government functioned in this manner at all times.  Given enough effort and sacrifice, perhaps someday they will.

Yours,

Dave Ridley
RidleyReport.com
Manchester