by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
The Jacksonville chapter of the Federal Bar Association will host the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida Second Annual Media & Law Live Video Conference Friday at the U.S. Courthouse. Greta Van Susteren of Fox News will deliver the keynote address and opening remarks.
“The idea behind forming the committee was to increase relations and dealings between the media and judicial participants,” said Michael Freed, FBA president and an attorney at Smith, Hulsey & Busey. “Everybody recognizes the need and value of the First Amendment and the need and value of media coverage.”
Unlike the large turnout in 2001 (nine panel members and 50 guests attended in Jacksonville), this year’s panel has been reduced to less than half that size. With guests seated in the jury box and the panel sitting on the judge’s bench, space constrictions at the U.S. Courthouse became a limiting factor.
“We don’t have a great deal of room,” said Freed.
Tampa, Ft. Myers, Orlando and Jacksonville panels will all have four representatives bantering ideas back and forth.
The topic for this year’s conference is, “Can due process and freedom of the press survive the war on terrorism?”
“The topic is very timely after Sept. 11,” said Freed. “We’ll be discussing issues of tightening security at the courts and legal venues while balancing the interests of the press.”
One issue at last year’s conference was whether journalists should be allowed to bring cameras inside the courthouse to photograph or videotape proceedings. Historically, this has been forbidden but the majority at the conference agreed that a media presence was worth the possible negative consequences.
Lacking any rule-making power, the conference is not intended to offer solutions but rather to facilitate understanding of each side’s position.
“The principal frustration over media coverage comes from a lack of knowledge of terminology or information about what the proceedings are about,” explained Freed. “Hopefully, this seminar will help bridge the communication gap.”
According to Freed, members of the press, judges, lawyers who handle cases in the media spotlight and anyone else who has an interest in First Amendment issues would benefit from the conference.
“More media attention is given to criminal lawyers but civil litigators also handle cases that interest the media,” said Freed. “That’s more of a reason to be versed in relations. There are also those attorneys that represent the media or public interest groups that would be drawn to it.”
The local panel includes judges Harvey Schlesinger and Thomas Morris, Winston Dean from Ch. 12, Heather Murphy from Ch. 4 and Paul Pinkham from the T-U.
The conference is scheduled for 1:45-5 p.m. at the U.S. Courthouse with lunch beginning at noon. The conference is worth four CLE credit hours, including one ethics credit. A short discussion on law and media relations unique to Jacksonville will follow the teleconference.
Seats are still open. Contact Freed at 359-7794 for details.