South Dakota Media Club

Thanks for visiting South Dakota Media Club, a blog for and about news coverage in South Dakota. Right now it’s being hosted by me, Tena Haraldson, chief of bureau for The Associated Press in Sioux Falls. Yes, I know the site has been dormant for a few years, my apologies. But I’d like to revive it now as a way for media to communicate about expanded electronic coverage of courts in the state.

Starting July 1 reporters have the first chance to provide audio and visual coverage of circuit courts. It’s still up to the judges, of course. But the door is open just a crack.

I’m offering this site as a way for us to share our experiences applying for access to courts with our sound equipment and cameras. Zach Nelson of Performance Radio in Huron has started us off with his letter asking to cover two upcoming trials.

But it’s not limited to that. Please send me your updates, experiences, questions, problems, anecdotes and ideas. Click on “Contact us” to email me. I’ll do my best to keep up with the updates.

Notice on the righthand side of the page there’s a link to the Unified Judicial System. That’s where you can find the name of the court administrators for each circuit. That’s the person who has been designated the media corodinator to handle requests for trial coverage.

Also please send me your updates for Shop Talk, which will collect tidbits affecting the media in the state.

Unified Judicial System
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-5070

For Immediate Release-
Pierre
Chief Justice Gilbertson to Hold an Informational Session in Rapid City for Media and Members of the Bar to Address the Recent Supreme Court Rule for Expanded Media Coverage of Trial Court Proceedings.

Members of the media and bar association are invited to attend an informational session with Chief Justice David Gilbertson to address the recent Supreme Court rule for expanded media coverage of trial court proceedings. The session will be held Monday, June 13, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. M.S.T. in the Pennington County Courthouse, Third Floor, Courtroom C2.

The session is intended to provide information on the new Supreme Court rule that goes into effect on July 1, 2011.

Camera and audio coverage of this informational session is permissible.

Individuals requiring assistance or seeking more information should contact the State Court Administrator’s Office (605) 773-3474 to make any arrangements.

News coverage of South Dakota trial courts may include sound bites and photos for the first time, starting July 1. The state Supreme Court has approved a new rule that allows expanded media coverage of hearings, trials and other court proceedings. The media must apply for the permission in advance and provide all the equipment and personnel that is required. Applications go to the court administrator for each circuit. Cameras will only be allowed if permission is received from the judge as well as the lawyers in the case. Audio recording and broadcast can be approved by the judge alone. In every case, the media is required to form a pool and share the coverage. And the judge retains control of the courtroom and can stop the electronic coverage at any time if he issues a written order giving his reasons.