(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 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
