This is our chance to make history by enabling the US justice system to permit live webcasting during public trials.
The US constitution guarantees the right to a public trial and the issue today is simply to refine the meaning of "public" by recognizing a defendant's right to get the news of their trial out there online as well as through newspapers and TV programming.
A test case involvling Joel Tenenbaum, a graduate student at Boston University, has just been thrown out by the First Circuit US Court of Appeals. With enough support, we believe that we can convince this nation's lawmakers to create legislation that guarantees a permanent place at the table for Webcast news.
Joel needs our help today and we'll all benefit by extending public access to information that affects our lives on so many levels.
Let's move quickly. Please sign now and spread the word.
Dear Mr. President, Chief Justices, Justices, Judges, Senators, Representatives, Ladies and Gentlemen,
We the undersigned urge you to give your fullest consideration to the matter of allowing Internet Webcast Sites to join the time-honoured ranks of newspapers and TV stations in disseminating the news during a public trial.
We understand that The Constitution of the United States guarantees the right to a public trial and the issue today is simply the need to refine the meaning of "public".
Furthermore, we believe that justice would be served by recognizing a defendant's right to have the news of their trial published online as well as through newspapers and TV programming.
A test case involvling Joel Tenenbaum, a graduate student at Boston University, has just been thrown out by the First Circuit US Court of Appeals (April 17, 2009), and it is our fervent hope that you will take steps immediately to protect Mr. Tenenbaum's right to a public trial that includes Internet coverage. Such action in this case will endure as a brilliant example of the wisdom enshrined in The Constitution and practiced by this generation of our nation's lawmakers.
Please accept our appreciation for your willingness to serve America through this visionary and courageous act of leadership.
Yours most respectfully and sincerely,
The Undersigned
