Request to Broadcast, Televise, Record or Photograph Session
The undersigned media representative requests permission on behalf of the below-referenced news organization to broadcast, televise, record or photograph all or a portion of the session of the Supreme Court on the date referenced below. This request is made pursuant to the Media Rules contained within the Rules of the Supreme Court of the State of Georgia, which states: “No more than 4 still photographers and 4 television cameras will be permitted in the courtroom for coverage at any time while a proceeding is in session. However, the Court will allow all photographers and television stations to pool or divide the time, so that all will be allowed to participate.” Please contact the Public Information Officer with your request.
Contact the Public Information Officer
The Public Information Officer is primarily responsible for preparing opinion summaries, oral argument case announcements, and news alerts; responding to inquiries as the media liaison for the Supreme Court; and facilitating public, group tours for schools, civic groups, and other organizations.
Please note that Court staff cannot interpret the law or decisions of this Court, provide legal advice, recommend an attorney, or bring to the Justices’ attention your concerns about a particular case pending before the Court.
Kathleen Joyner, Public Information Officer
Supreme Court of Georgia
Nathan Deal Judicial Center
330 Capitol Avenue, S.E.
1st Floor, Suite 1100
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Phone: (404) 651-9385
Please note that Court staff cannot interpret the law or decisions of this Court, provide legal advice, recommend an attorney, or bring to the Justices' attention your concerns about a particular case pending before the Court.
XIV. MEDIA RULES
Rule 75. BROADCAST PROCEEDINGS. Proceedings in the Supreme Court may be broadcast by television and radio, recorded electronically, and photographed by still news photographers, if done in compliance with the provisions of these rules and the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Rule 76. DIGNITY OF THE PROCEEDINGS. No broadcasting, recording, or photographing shall disrupt or distract from the dignity of 52 the Court proceedings. All media outlets wishing to cover Court proceedings in person and broadcast those proceedings by television or radio must submit a Request to Broadcast form at least 24 hours in advance. See https://www.gasupreme.us/court-information/media/.
Rule 77. NUMBER OF MEDIA. No more than four still photographers and one television camera will be permitted in the courtroom for coverage at any time while a proceeding is in session. However, the Court will allow all photographers and videographers to pool or divide the time so that all will be allowed to participate. The positioning and removing of cameras shall be done only when the Court is in recess. Any pooling arrangements among those seeking to provide camera coverage shall be the sole responsibility of media persons. Neither the Clerk nor the Public Information Officer is responsible for resolving disputes regarding the same.
Rule 78. RESERVED.
Rule 79. EQUIPMENT. Persons desiring to cover a proceeding must furnish their own equipment and shall be responsible for it.
Rule 80. VIDEO CAMERAS. All video cameras are restricted to the right rear or right left of the courtroom. Video cameras which produce distracting noise or sound may not be used.
Rule 81. PHOTOGRAPHERS. During sessions of the Court, still photographers may only take photographs while standing, from behind the back rows of the spectator seats. No flashbulbs or noisy motor drives or battery-operated film advances may be used in the courtroom.
Rule 82. VIDEO. During the time that the Court is in session, media personnel will be limited in their movements behind the back rows of the spectator seats of the courtroom.
Rule 83. MEDIA SEATING. All persons recording or photographing a hearing or event will remain in the areas designated by the Court and will avoid activity that might disrupt the proceedings.
Rule 84. NOTES AND SKETCHES. These rules shall not affect the coverage of any judicial proceeding by a media representative or other person who is not using a camera or recording device but who is taking notes or making sketches.
Rule 85. INTERVIEWS. Attorneys appearing before the Court may not give interviews in the courtroom or in the Nathan Deal Judicial Center, and media representatives shall not seek interviews in the courtroom or in the Nathan Deal Judicial Center without permission of the Court.
Rule 86. AGREEMENT. All media representatives who cover a judicial proceeding are subject to this section and agree to comply with it.
Rule 87. OFF-SITE PROCEEDINGS. In the event that the Court holds judicial sessions at places other than its courtroom in Atlanta, these rules shall be followed to the extent reasonably possible.
Rule 88. CEREMONIAL PROCEEDINGS. The restrictions under these rules may be applied to the coverage of ceremonial or non-judicial proceedings.
Rule 89. RESERVATION. The Court reserves the right in any particular proceeding to modify by court order any of the above rules and provisions, whether on its own motion or on the written request of any member of the media affected by the rules.
Rule 90. COURT FINAL AUTHORITY. The Court shall retain the exclusive authority to limit, restrict, prohibit, and terminate the photographing, recording, and broadcasting of any judicial session.