TV Oral Arguments a Likely Ratings Bust, Justice Alito Suggests
Some journalists may be clamoring for televised U.S. Supreme Court arguments, but the public is likely not so enthused, according to Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.
Speaking Friday at a conference sponsored by the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, Alito joked that Judge Judy and other TV judges give the public plenty of courtroom drama, the Associated Press reports.
“I am concerned that if our arguments were televised we’d be competing neck and neck with Congress … for the lowest ratings that have ever been recorded by the Nielsen system,” Alito said.
Alito noted the court already posts transcripts of oral arguments on the Internet, and the media offers extensive coverage of important cases. As a result, the “only thing missing is pictures of the justices and the lawyers with their lips moving as they ask and answer questions,” he said.
Alito allowed journalists to report on his speech but he did not allow TV and radio reporters to record his remarks for their stories. However, public television recorded the speech to rebroadcast in its entirety at a later date.
