SCOTUS and COVID: How the Media Reacted to the Livestreaming of Supreme Court Oral Arguments

The study compares the volume and nature of online print and broadcast television coverage from major media outlets from all U.S. Supreme Court oral argument sessions during the October 2019, 2020, and 2021 Terms. The move to livestreaming increased the frequency and depth of online print news media coverage in the short term, but not in the long term. The benefits of increased transparency did not come with significant disadvantages for the Court in terms of long-term changes in its news media coverage. The analysis provides timely evidence to the ongoing debate about public access to the Supreme Court and the potential consequences of other expansions in transparency.

Format: Hardback
Length: 148 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

This book delves into a comprehensive comparison of the volume and nature of online print and broadcast television coverage from major media outlets across the United States during the October 2019, 2020, and 2021 Terms of the Supreme Court. The authors aim to assess the impact of the move to livestreaming oral argument sessions on the frequency and depth of online print news media coverage.

Their findings reveal that while livestreaming did increase the frequency and depth of online print news media coverage in the short term, it did not have a lasting effect on the long-term trends. For both online print and broadcast outlets, the benefits of increased transparency offered by livestreaming oral argument audio did not come with significant disadvantages for the Court in terms of long-term changes in its news media coverage.

The authors' analysis offers valuable insights into the current and ongoing debate about public access to the Supreme Court. It sheds light on the potential consequences of permanently continuing the practice of livestreaming oral argument audio and considers the ramifications of other potential expansions in transparency, such as livestreaming opinion announcement audio or providing live video coverage of the Court's proceedings.

This work extends beyond the specific context of the Supreme Court and speaks to the broader impact of increased access to oral arguments and the inner workings of government institutions. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many institutions to grapple with the constraints and opportunities for unprecedented access to anyone, anywhere. A better understanding of the implications of the Supreme Court's decision to livestream audio from its proceedings provides valuable leverage on the consequences of greater government transparency for news media coverage and, by extension, individuals' exposure to and interaction with government more generally.

In conclusion, this book provides a thorough examination of the volume and nature of online print and broadcast television coverage from major media outlets during the Supreme Court's October 2019, 2020, and 2021 Terms. Through its analysis, the authors contribute to our understanding of the impact of livestreaming on news media coverage and the broader implications of increased government transparency.

Weight: 381g
Dimension: 239 x 159 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538172612