As amended through July 25, 2024
Rule 18 - Conditions for broadcasting and photographing Court of Claims proceedings(A)Permission for broadcasting, recording by electronic means or photographing. Except as supplemented by this rule, the provisions of Rule 12 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio shall be applicable to requests for permission to broadcast, record by electronic means or photograph proceedings in the Court of Claims.(B)Administration.(1)Requests for permission; When and where filed. Requests for permission to broadcast, televise, record or photograph in the courtroom shall be in writing to the clerk as far in advance as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than one work day prior to the courtroom session to be broadcast or photographed unless otherwise permitted by the court. Request forms may be obtained from the clerk's office.(2)Duty of clerk upon receipt; Duty of court. The clerk shall immediately inform the court of the request. The court shall grant the request in writing consistent with Superintendence Rule 12, and this rule. Written permission shall be made a part of the record of the proceeding.(C)Pooling. Arrangements shall be made between or among media for pooling equipment and personnel authorized by this rule to cover the court sessions. Such arrangements shall be made outside the courtroom and in such a manner that does not require the court or court personnel to mediate any dispute as to the appropriate media "pool" representative or equipment authorized to cover a particular session. In the event disputes arise between or among media representatives, the court may exclude all contesting representatives from the proceedings.(D)Equipment and personnel. (1) Not more than one portable camera (television, digital, or movie), operated by not more than one in-court camera person, shall be permitted without authorization of the court.(2) Not more than one still photographer, utilizing not more than two still cameras of professional quality with not more than two lenses for each camera, shall be permitted without authorization of the court.(3) Not more than one audio system for radio broadcast purposes shall be permitted without authorization of the court.(4) If audio arrangements cannot be reasonably made in advance, the court may permit one audio recording session at the bench which will be activated prior to commencement of the courtroom session.(5) Visible audio recording equipment may not be used by the media without prior permission of the court.(E)Light and sound criteria.(1)Distracting equipment. Only professional quality telephonic, photographic and audio equipment which does not produce distracting sound or light shall be employed to cover courtroom sessions. No motor driven still cameras shall be permitted.(2)Artificial light. No artificial lighting device other than that normally used in the courtroom shall be employed. However, if the normal lighting in the courtroom can be improved without becoming obtrusive, the court may permit modification.(3)Audio pickup. Audio pickup by microphone for all media purposes shall be accomplished from existing audio systems present in the courtroom. If no technically suitable audio systems exist in the courtroom, microphones and related wiring essential for all media purposes shall be unobtrusive and located in places designated by the court, in advance of any session.(F)Location of equipment and personnel.(1) One television camera shall be positioned on a tripod in the rear of each courtroom, and shall remain fixed in that position. Digital recording equipment or other technical equipment which is not a component part of an in-court television or broadcasting unit shall be located in the rear of the courtroom.(2) The television, broadcast, and still-camera operators shall position themselves in a location in the courtroom, either standing or sitting, and shall assume a fixed position within that area. Having established themselves in a shooting position, they shall act so as not to call attention to themselves through further movement. Sudden moves, pans, tilts, or zooms by television or still camera operators are prohibited. Operators shall not be permitted to move about in order to obtain photographs or broadcasts of courtroom sessions, except to leave or enter the courtroom.(3) Television cameras, microphones, and taping equipment shall not be placed in, moved during, or removed from the courtroom except prior to commencement or after adjournment of the session or during a recess.(G)Miscellaneous. Proper courtroom decorum shall be maintained by all media pool participants.(H)Limitations.(1)Audio pickup of conferences. There shall be no audio pickup or broadcast of conferences conducted in a courtroom between counsel and clients, co-counsel, or the court and counsel.(2)Jurors; witnesses. The photographing, filming, digital recording, televising or recording of any juror shall not be permitted. The court shall inform victims and witnesses of their right to object to being photographed, filmed, digitally recorded, televised or recorded and shall prohibit the photographing, filming, videotaping, televising or recording of any victim or witness who does object.(I)Revocation of permission. Upon the failure of any media representative to comply with the conditions prescribed by the court, the Rules of Superintendence of the courts of Ohio, or this rule, the court may revoke the permission to broadcast, photograph or record the trial or hearing.