Newsroom

Seeking Better Court-News Media Relations

Confining a group of federal judges and a like number of journalists in the same room for a day might not be a sure-fire formula for tranquility, but the tactic is having a positive effect in the 9th Circuit.

The 14 members of the circuit's Public Information and Community Outreach committee (PICO), along with others in the federal judiciary, are meeting with reporters and editors in cities throughout the nation's largest judicial circuit.

To date, meetings have been conducted in Los Angeles, Seattle, Boise, San Francisco, and Phoenix. Another is being planned for somewhere in Montana later this year.

"Because we are two institutions that serve the Constitution in so many areas, it is all the more disappointing when we see collisions that are avoidable," said Judge Alicemarie Stotler (C.D. Calif.). She was appointed as PICO's first chair when the committee was created five years ago by Judge Proctor Hug, then chief of the 9th Circuit.

"PICO hopes its progress in understanding the challenges facing the media can translate into advice and guidance to fellow judges and court family members – clerks of court, probation officers and others – when they work with members of the media." Stotler said.

Judge Robert Lasnik (W.D. Wash.), PICO's current chair, agrees."These sessions are about enhancing understanding," he said."I think every court could benefit."

That's just what Chief Judge Mary Schroeder (9th Cir.) has in mind."We'd love this idea to go national," she said."Our people are more than willing to discuss the idea with any circuit that would like to know more about it. I think this committee is doing vital work."

Other circuits and districts have similar committees but none currently sponsors a series of meetings between judges and journalists. The opening words of PICO's mission statement explain the meetings' purpose:"To facilitate better relations between the courts and the news media."

For many years, Judge Saundra Armstrong (N.D. Cal.), considered any relations or contact with the news media a"peril" to be avoided."My Bible for dealing with the media was a magazine article entitled ‘If Mike Wallace Calls, Hang Up.' I simply saw no reason to speak to anyone from the news media," she said.

Then she was appointed to PICO."It was at our news media workshop in Seattle that I experienced an epiphany. It became very apparent to me during the course of our discussions that there really is something to be said about establishing mutually beneficial relationships with the media, which allow for reciprocal education concerning our respective cultures," Armstrong said.

David Boardman, managing editor of the Seattle Times, serves as an ex officio member of PICO and brings a newsman's perspective to the table."These meetings have been enormously successful. At every meeting, I see eyes lighting up and heads nodding. I see relationships developing," he said.

"It's really changing the game out here. I've seen it city by city. It can't help but enhance the public's understanding of their court system," he said.

Conversations can encompass numerous topics, such as electronic case filing and other access issues, news media deadlines, court web sites, reporter privilege, Indian Country law, court jurisdiction, and the editorial process.

PICO members say the conversations have been frank but cordial, often humorous, and enlightening.

Chief Judge Lynn Winmill (D. Id.) called the May 2004 meeting in Boise, held in concert with the state courts,"a terrific success."

"A good judge doesn't pay too much attention to news coverage, but it's helpful to understand where the media is coming from," he said."We certainly plan on doing it again."