Bicentennial of the
Bill of Rights
Introductory Note By Chief Justice
Arthur A. McGiverin
Iowa FOI Council Guidelines
Rules of Procedure for Canon3A(7):
Expanded Media Coverage
Regional Media Coordinators
Questions about EMC
Glossary
May 8, 1979: Chief Justice W. Ward Reynoldson appointed a committee to study whether cameras should be allowed in Iowa courtrooms to enhance public awareness and understanding of the judicial process. Justice J.L. Larson was the committee chair.
November 21, 1979: Upon recommendation of the committee, the Iowa Supreme Court agreed to suspend the ban against cameras in the courtroom for a one-year experiment to begin January 1, 1980.
January 14, 1980: The first trial to be covered under Expanded Media Coverage (EMC) began in Waterloo, Blackhawk County. Michael Earl Moses was convicted of first degree murder. Grant Price, news director of KWWL-TV, Waterloo, was the media coordinator for the trial coverage.
December 12, 1980: The Supreme Court extended the EMC experiment for one more year.
December 22, 1981: Upon recommendation ofthe EMC committee, the Supreme Court agreed to "permanent" revision of Canon 3A(7) to allow expanded media coverage in Iowa courtrooms.
The Council was designated by the Iowa Supreme Court as the coordinator
for the EMC, notifying the judges and attorneys involved when EMC is requested.
About 2,000 judicial proceedings have been covered by EMC.