Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1956)

PERSONNEL RELATIONS STATIONS the Film Producers Assn. of New York. American Assn. of Film Producers (of the midwest) and the West Coast producers' unit was set up to study "various areas" of activity for the proposed national organization. The seven-man unit will hold a planning meeting in New York April 13. The group will establish a sort of working constitution for members of the present three associations and independent producers. The proposed national organization would be set up to further the interests of the visual media, it was explained. A total of 45 film executives representing 78 producers attended the Chicago session. Members of the governing body are Robert Lawrence, Robert Lawrence Productions, new president of FPA of New York; James Holmes, general manager, Vogue-Wright Studios, Chicago, and secretary of the AAFP; H. Tessler, Loucks & Norling; Lang Thompson, Wilding Pictures Corp.; Marvin Becker, West Coast film organization representative; Sam Orleans, Sam Orleans Productions, and Larry Sherwood, Calvin Films. The American Assn. of Film Producers represents some 14 production firms in the south and midwest. — PROFESSIONAL SERVICES — S.F. Publicists Organize PROFESSIONAL publicists in the Bay Area have formed the San Francisco Publicity Club, according to Don Mills, publicity director for KPIX (TV), that city, who was elected president. The club's plans call for the establishment of an annual publicity clinic, a spring dance and projects aiding worthwhile civic drives. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PEOPLE Mildred Vigderhouse, free lance radio-tv consultant to public service campaign organizations, named tv placement specialist. Ruder & Finn, N. Y., public relations counseling firm. William P. Steinpien, editor, press information service, Chrysler Corp., Detroit, promoted to manager of press information. Ralph Maloney, public relations counselor, has merged office with Jacques Willaumez Assoc., N. Y. Robert B. Johnson, formerly sales promotion manager of The Merchandise Mart, Chicago, appointed merchandising director, Harshe-Rotman Inc., Chicago public relations firm. Ronald Sedgewick, assistant operations manager, Cellomatic Corp. (sales promotion film animators), N. Y., to Chicago office, as operations manager. James R. Brooks, public relations department, Needham, Louis & Brorby Inc., Chicago, to Ekco Products Co. (housewares), that city, as public relations manager. Mai Parks Jr., publisher of Parts Jobber magazine, Chicago, to Howard W. Sams & Co., Indianapolis, electronic engineering and publishing firm, in executive capacity. Michael Sean O'Shea, former publicity director, Motion Pictures for Television (MPTV), N. Y., and owner of his own publicity firm, appointed national publicity director, American Theatre Wing, N. Y. Sid Lavitt, formerly assistant producer for NBC Radio, appointed radio-tv liaison for United Cerebral Palsy during its 1956 campaign, which will be conducted in May. Page 48 • March 5, 1956 MICROPHONE-CAMERA COVERAGE FAVORED IN RULING BY COLORADO SUPREME COURT Decision supporting radio and tv at trials hailed as major victory in long-range effort to break down legal barriers. Judge O. Otto Moore hands down his referee's opinion after 'full dress' procedure. RADIO AND TV now have the formal decision of a high court to support their claim that modern media should be admitted to courtrooms. A major victory in the long-range effort to break down legal barriers was won last week when the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that microphone-camera coverage should not be barred because of Canon 35. The Colorado decision was handed down after a lengthy hearing and a series of demonstrations, held before Judge O. Otto Moore of the court, who served as a referee. His report (see excerpts from text, pages 50 and 51), was approved without dissent by the full state Supreme Court. Two significant findings appear in the decision. First, the court chastised the legal profession for its adherence to the American Bar Assn. Canon 35, the outmoded barrier to visualaudio reporting of trials. Second, it stated flatly that the modern media can operate in a courtroom without disturbing the proceedings. In taking a firm stand on behalf of visual and aural reporting, the court adopted a rule that sets the ground rules for coverage. These, briefly, specify that in Colorado the trial judge may allow broadcasting or photographs but should not permit coverage if it would detract from dignity, distract witnesses, degrade the court, or interfere with a fair trial. The court specified that no witness or juror is to be photographed over his expressed objection and that media must have permission from the trial judge, who can lay down the regulations. Cooperation Pays Off Cooperative effort by a large number of individuals and groups was credited with the industry's victory, the first major breakthrough in the campaign to break down the resistance of the legal profession. It was believed the decision will serve as the key reference in future court proceedings in view of the fact that a full-dress trial was held, with media receiving a favorable decision. Hugh B. Terry, president of KLZ-AM-TV Denver, Sheldon Peterson, his news director, and Judge Justin Miller, NARTB consultant and its former chairman-president, were among a score of persons whose combined activity were important elements in the decision. In his referee's opinion, Judge Moore mentioned an air editorial by Mr. Terry and a method of coverage procedure submitted by Mr. Peterson as significant elements in the case. The victory was described by Judge Miller as "wonderful," but he warned that it may be "Pyrrhic" unless media measure up to the confidence expressed in them by the courts. He cited a trial in Beverly Hills last week where 21 photographers were working with flashlights despite the fact that room lighting was adequate. Judge Miller confronted the ABA with this challenge: "The question, now, is what is the ABA going to do in the face of this decision. Certainly it cannot continue to sponsor an obsolete pronouncement such a Canon 35. Three states in succession — Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado— have now rejected Canon 35 and demonstrated its error. The time is ripe for action. The situation now has changed from one of old prejudices and emotional reactions to one in which the clear light of reason and demonstration has shown the direction in which the bar must go." He added: "For the first time, a court of competent jurisdiction has considered and decided the question in a manner properly respectful of the finest tradition of judicial administration . . ." He said that the court saw demonstrations that did not disturb proceedings and listened to exhaustive arguments on questions of law and policy. Justice Moore conceded he had leaned toward outlawing of radio and tv prior to the hearings. He voiced hope that the new rule will lead to a cooperative effort between the judiciary and media to protect and portray judicial processes. "The dignity or decorum of the court was not the least disturbed," he said, referring to nummerous cases when he did not know cameras and microphones were functioning. He cited a U. S. Supreme Court precedent to support his statement that radio-tv does not merely provide entertainment. He dismissed the "idle curiosity" argument advanced by Canon 35 proponents by explaining the need for educating and informing the people about all branches of government. Taking up the oftvoiced fear that judges or lawyers will be ham actors, he said the camera does not change their "inherent characteristics" and the public will detect hamming quickly. Justice Moore answered the right of privacy contention by saying that persons involved in public events emerge from seclusion. Application of the new rule will be watched in the murder trial of John Gilbert Graham, charged with putting a bomb in a United Airlines plane. District Judge Joseph M. McDonald will preside at the trial, which starts April 16. He said he would carefully study media requests to cover the trial. Among those who took an active part in the preparation and conduct of the industry case before Justice Moore were P. A. Sugg, WKYAM-TV Oklahoma City; Kenneth C. Wayman, KTIV (TV) Sioux City, Iowa; Rex Howell, KFXJ-TV Grand Junction, Colo.; Grady Franklin Maples, KGMC Englewood, Colo.; Joseph Herold, Marshall Faber, KBTV (TV) Denver; Gene Jenkins, KLZ-TV; Robert Mott, KVOD Denver; Bill Stinson, KWTX-TV Waco, Tex.; Vincent Wasilewski, NARTB; Richard Schmidt, attorney for Denver Area Radio & Tv Assn., and Gordon Yoder, Dallas newsreel cameraman. Mr. Terry said: "We are pleased with the decision. We think it was a justified and proper one, and that it was a decision in favor of the public. The high court is to be commended for its enlightened attitude." NARTB President Harold E. Fellows said: "It is our earnest hope that other states and members of the bar generally will acquaint themselves with the evidence and testimony presented in this precedent-setting case. It is truly an historic landmark in broadcasters' efforts to achieve equal access in covering public proceedings. It is an equal victory for the public at large for it recognized their inherent right to be informed on the conduct of public business." Robert D. Swezey, WDSU-AM-TV, New Orleans, Chairman of NARTB's Freedom of Broadcasting Telecasting