Twitter in the Courtroom : Do You Object ?
of reporting and that it helps to improve transparency and public access to courts . 27
IV . ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF TWITTER USE
One of the overarching reasons that many support
the use of Twitter in the courtroom is because it provides immediate access to courts of law . “ Live blogging allows citizens instant access to the judiciary , letting them follow and discuss what is happening inside the courtroom and thereby strengthening public trust in the system as envisioned by the First Amendment .” 28 Another reason identifies the educational value provided . “... Tweets effectively [ teach ] citizens about the judicial process as it unfold [ s ].” 29
Another argument in favor of courtroom tweeting is the fact that the Internet has had a negative effect on print media . People now turn to the Internet for news on the judicial system , technology , politics , etc . For this reason , many newspapers have ceased operations . 30 “ Their absence therefore necessitates that websites like Twitter be used to fill their void .” 31 Twitter ’ s unlimited capacity means that reporter scan tweet as much as they like throughout the day or evening . The use of blogging tools like Twitter has provided more trial coverage for readers who are interested in knowing more about a lawsuit , but who previously would have been unable
27 Emily Ittner , Technology in the Courtroom : Promoting Transparency or Destroying Solemnity ? 22 CommLaw Conspectus 347 , 363 ( 2014 ).
28 Id . at 40 . 29 Id . at 41 . 30
Lili Levi , Social Media And The Press , 90 N . C . L . Rev . 1531 , 1537 ( 2012 ). 31 Id . at 1540 .
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