Poll: Should TV cameras be allowed in court?

The ban on filming in courts will be overturned to improve public understanding of the justice system, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said today.

It will be the first time that cameras have been allowed in courts other than the Supreme Court and only filming of the judge's summary remarks will be allowed, he said.

The ban on filming victims, witnesses, offenders and jurors inside court will remain, Mr Clarke told MPs.

Earlier, Mr Clarke said televising judges' comments would be a good idea which would help to demystify the process and give the public confidence in the justice system.

But Mr Clarke warned that televising the courts must not be allowed to become theatre, adding that he would proceed cautiously, starting with the Court of Appeal and including the Crown Courts later.

In Shropshire, however, there are serious doubts that putting TV cameras in court is a good idea.

Magistrate Bob Tilt, served for 25 years in Ludlow and spent seven years chairing the bench. He said: "Courts are already public arenas and members of the public are welcome to sit in on cases. But I have fears that the use of cameras in court would interfere with proceedings.

"There might be occasions when people played to the court, to elicit sympathy and so on. I think we need to think very carefully about this. I am not in favour."

John Abram, former chairman of the bench at Oswestry Magistrates Court, is cool on the plans. "I don't say it is a good idea," he says. "Personally, I don't wish to express a view until I see exactly what the proposals are.

"There is a need for the public to be aware of what is going on in court, but that access has long been available to them because they have been able to sit in the public gallery. Courts are public places."

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard is similarly cautious and believes the issue should be fully debated by Parliament and those who work in courts.

He says: "There should be no change to the current system without the overwhelming backing of the judiciary and magistrates. The proposals may be limited in nature but they could eventually open up all proceedings to television, and without the overwhelming support of the judiciary and magistrates I would be reluctant to support this myself."

But what do you think? Cast your vote in our poll and give your views in the comment box below.

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