Media Coverage of Court Proceedings

(a) Applicability. This rule applies to a member of the media in a court facility during a court proceeding. (b) No Applicability. This rule does not apply to the following circumstances: (1) a media member outside a court facility watching a live stream of a court proceeding over the internet or a recording of it posted on the internet, which is governed by Rule 160; and (2) a non-media person using an electronic device in a court facility, which is governed by Rule 1002. (c) Media Member . For purposes of this rule, a media member includes people who collect, compile, compose, receive, or disseminate news or information to the public, such as a publisher, editor, reporter, or other person employed by a newspaper, magazine, news wire service, television station, radio station, or online journal. (d) Possessing an Electronic Device. A media member may possess an electronic device during a court proceeding but must turn it off and keep it out of sight unless the court authorizes its use under this rule. (e) Use. A media member may use an electronic device during a court proceeding as permitted under this rule only to disseminate news or information to the public. (f) Permission Required. A media member must get written permission from the court before using an electronic device to photograph, record, transmit, or provide live coverage of a court proceeding. (g) Media Coordinator. The chief judge of a judicial district may designate a media coordinator to help with media requests under this rule. The public information director is the media coordinator for the appellate courts. (h) Timing. At least one week before a court proceeding, a media member must ask the court or media coordinator for permission to use an electronic device during the proceeding. The court may waive the time requirement for good cause. (i) Pool Representative. When more than one television station, photographer, or audio recorder requests permission to record a court proceeding, the court or media coordinator may designate pool representatives and the permitted electronic devices. If a media member disputes the designations, the court will not allow audio or visual electronic devices at the proceeding. Upon request, a pool representative must give a copy of a recording or photograph to other media members at a price that does not exceed the actual cost. Pool designations are not necessary for media members to record only a written account of a proceeding. (j) Location. A judge will designate where a media member may use an electronic device during a district court proceeding. A presiding judge will designate where a media member may use an electronic device during a Court of Appeals proceeding. Under the general supervision of the chief justice, the clerk of the appellate courts will designate where a media member may use an electronic device during a Supreme Court proceeding. (1) A media member may use an electronic device only in areas open to the public unless otherwise permitted by the court. (2) A media member must not impede view of the proceeding and must stay within the area the court authorized. (3) A media member may set up or remove an electronic device only at these times: before the court begins the proceeding, during a recess in the proceeding, or after the court adjourns the proceeding for the day. (4) A media member must not record an interview in a hallway immediately adjacent to the location of a proceeding if it would block the entrance or disturb the proceeding. (k) Electronic Device Limitations. A media member must not use an electronic device that disrupts a court proceeding. The following limitations apply. (1) A media member must not use more than one television camera or two still photograph cameras unless the court authorizes additional cameras or operators. (2) A media member must not use an electronic device that produces distracting sound. If a camera is not manufactured for silent operation, the operator should use a quieting tool. (3) A media member must not use an electronic device that produces distracting light and must not use an artificial lighting source. A court will not modify its facility’s lighting without approval from the chief judge or chief justice and any other necessary authorities. (l) Other Prohibited Actions. A media member must not take the following actions: (1) photograph or record materials on attorney tables or in areas designated for attorneys; (2) listen to or audio record any conference between an attorney and client, attorneys in the case, or attorneys and the judge; (3) photograph an individual juror; (4) photograph a court proceeding in a way that would allow someone to identify an individual juror; (5) photograph or record a criminal defendant in restraints going to or coming from a court proceeding before a jury returns a verdict; (6) photograph or record a court proceeding through a window or door; or (7) photograph or record a participant in a court proceeding if the participant asks not to be photographed or recorded and one of the following circumstances applies: (A) the participant is a victim or witness of a crime, a police informant, an undercover agent, a relocated witness, or a juvenile; or (B) the proceeding is an evidentiary suppression hearing, a divorce proceeding, or a case involving trade secrets. (m) Juvenile Prosecuted as an Adult. A media member may photograph and record a juvenile the State is prosecuting as an adult as authorized by K.S.A. 38-2347 unless a court prohibits photographing or recording the juvenile. (n) Other Permissible Use. A media member may use an electronic device outside a court proceeding for phone calls, emails, and text messages but must not use the device in a location or way that is audible or disruptive during a proceeding. (o) Conflict. A court order or local rule for media use of an electronic device during a court proceeding controls if it conflicts with this rule. (p) Court Not Restricted. Nothing in this rule limits a court’s authority or responsibility to control a court proceeding. (1) A court may require a media member to follow conditions or procedures for using an electronic device not specifically stated in this rule. (2) A court may prohibit a media member from possessing an electronic device during a proceeding or during the testimony of a particular witness. (3) A court may ban electronic devices from an entire floor of a court facility. (q) Official Record Not Affected. No video or audio recording, photograph, or other electronic communication permitted by this rule will affect the official court record of the proceeding for any purpose, including an appeal. (r) Confiscation. A court may confiscate an electronic device for the rest of a court proceeding if a media member uses the device in violation of this rule. [ History: New rule effective September 1, 1988; Restyled rule and amended effective October 18, 2012; Am. effective March 4, 2026 .]