by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The Florida Bar hosted members of the media from all over Florida for its annual “Reporters Workshop” on Sept. 22-23 in Tallahassee.
The workshop is held to help reporters become more familiar with the structure and workings of the court system and media law. One of the highlights of the two-day workshop was a reception with Florida Supreme Court Justices Monday night.
“This is a very unique situation,” said Craig Waters, director of public information for the Office of the Chief Justice. “I don’t think there are too many other places where justices make themselves available to sit down with members of the media.”
Justices Charles Wells, Harry Anstead, Barbra Pariente and Charles Canady attended the event and Chief Justice Peggy Quince was the guest speaker. Quince echoed the sentiment that has permeated the judiciary throughout the state.
“We are facing hard economic times, but this is not the time to scale back on our court system,” she said. “We need resources in order to operate. Cutting funds from the judiciary may seem penny wise, but it’s pound foolish. You’ll pay for it in the end.”
About 20 reporters from print, television and radio attended the workshop which covered how to utilize public records, the emergence of False Light prosecution, code of judicial contact and covering high-profile cases.
Former Florida Supreme Court Justice Joseph Hatchett and State Attorney General Bill McCollum also gave speeches at the workshop.
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