(a) The taking of photographs, the recording by any means other than the official court
reporter or the radio or television broadcasting (or making of audio or video tapes) in any
courtroom or its environs, utilized by either United States District Court in Arkansas during the
progress of or in connection with any judicial proceedings, including proceedings before a United
States Magistrate Judge, is PROHIBITED, except as hereinafter provided, and regardless whether
such hearing or proceeding takes place on public or private property or in the office or chambers
of a judge or magistrate judge or otherwise.
(b) The taking of photographs, still or motion pictures, and audio and video tapes, of
ceremonies and interviews, including administration of oaths of applicants for citizenship and to
executive and judicial officers, may be permitted with leave of the Court or the officer in charge
thereof; provided that the ceremonies and interviews are not connected with any judicial
proceedings. "Judicial proceedings", as used herein, shall include all judicial proceedings, whether
civil or criminal, and whether pending, on appeal, or terminated.
(c) "Environs", as used in this Rule, shall include the part of any Federal Building with
the District set apart for the United States District Court and its facilities, including chambers of
the Court, other facilities of court officials and adjacent hallways.
(d) Exception for Media Representatives to make Audio Tapes. Duly identified and
authorized representatives of the print, radio, and television media may unobtrusively make audio
tapes during trials and hearings in open court solely for the purpose of assuring the accuracy of
reports. The only official record of such proceedings shall continue to be that made by the official
court reporter and the Clerk in accordance with law. Proper prior arrangements for the making of
Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas
such audio tape recordings shall be made where necessary to avoid any interruption or interference
with such proceedings. Audio tape recordings made pursuant to this exception may not be
broadcast or rebroadcast to the public, transferred or sold, or used as such for commercial purposes.
Adopted and effective May 1, 1980
Subparagraph (d) adopted and effective September 1, 1986
Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas
