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Illinois Courts Rule In Favor Of Reporter's Rights, Cameras In Courtrooms

Susan Stephens
/
WNIJ

Two court rulings this week are being hailed as victories for journalists. 

Reporter’s Privilege

Reporter Joseph Hosey learned he no longer faces indefinite jail time and huge fines for refusing to reveal his source for a Joliet-area story he wrote for Patch.com.

Last year, Will County Judge Gerald Kinney ordered Hosey to reveal the identity of the person who gave him details from confidential police reports about a brutal double-murder case in Joliet. Hosey was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, followed by fines of $300 a day and imprisonment until he turned over the name of his source. The punishments were suspended while Hosey appealed.

On Monday, Illinois appellate court judges reversed Kinney’s ruling. Hosey is no longer required to reveal his source nor does he face punishment.

The case drew national attention as journalism organizations stepped up in support of Hosey’s "reporter's privilege," which is his right to protect his sources.

Cameras in the Courtroom

The Illinois Supreme Court has given the go-ahead to the use of recording devices by media in courtrooms in Cook County. The pilot program begins next month in felony courtrooms in the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago.

In 2012, the Illinois Supreme Court began allowing cameras and recording equipment in a number of county courtrooms on an experimental and controlled basis. Cook County, the state’s largest court system, had been left out until now. Cameras and microphones had been banned from courtrooms in Illinois, hampering coverage by broadcast media.

Susan is an award-winning reporter/writer at her favorite radio station. She's also WNIJ's Perspectives editor, Under Rocks contributor, and local host of All Things Considered.
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