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Judge Says Prop 8 Trial Can Be 'Televised' on YouTube
Photo by Tom Andrews/LAist (more photos here)
Judge Vaughn R. Walker split the baby today and decided to let the trial against Prop 8, which banned gay marriage in California, be videotaped by the court and uploaded to YouTube later in the day, according to the LA Times.
Plaintiffs advocated for televising the historic trial, but proponents of Prop 8 said they were concerned with witnesses feeling intimated by millions of viewers. The cameras will not be broadcast quality, but owned and under control of the courts. The delay could be hours and Walker could pull taping at any time.
Walker's decision is expected to be endorsed by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and when it does, it "will become the first federal trial in nine Western states to be videotaped for public distribution," noted the Times. The trial begins Monday and is expected to last a two to three weeks.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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