Since the fall of 1996, the Indiana Supreme Court has invited the news media to bring video and still cameras and other electronic recording devices into its oral arguments. There are certain guidelines the Court has asked the media to follow and those are listed below. In general, the guidelines involve the use, placement and amount of equipment. There are no restrictions on the number of reporters who wish to attend an oral arugment. Please review them to be certain you understand them.

In general the guidelines specify that:

• News media members who wish to be bring electronic recording devices into the courtroom must fax requests to David J. Remondini, Counsel to the Chief Justice, at 317.233.2990, prior to the start of the argument. If there are more requests than positions, than the positions will be filled by a random drawing and two video cameras and two still cameras will designated as the in-court pool. Mr. Remondini will alert the news media members who will be allowed to bring their equipment into the court room. He will designate one of the two video camera operators and one of the two still camera operators to serve as the pool cameras.
• Only two video cameras will be allowed inside courtroom. The cameras must be on tripods and be set up before the argument begins. They cannot be moved during the argument. Operators must make use of existing light sources and cannot add any additional light sources.
• Only two still cameras will be allowed inside the courtroom. The cameras must be on tripods or monopods and be set up before the argument begins. They cannot be moved during the argument. Operators must make use of existing light sources and cannot add any additional light sources.
• Radio reporters must connect to the existing audio system. In the Supreme Court Court Room, a four outlet "mult box" is available for the news media. Two outlets shall be reserved for television news media and two will be reserved for radio reporters. When the Supreme Court holds arguments outside the courtroom, alternate arrangements for audio pickup will be made upon consultation with Court staff.
• Pool members must agree to provide immediate or reasonably immediate distribution of material to other members of the news media who are present for the oral argument but who are not part of the in-court pool.

If you have any questions or suggestions about improving or modifying these guidelines, please contact Kathryn Dolan at 317.234.4722 or kdolan@courts.state.in.us.