Héloïse Goy, with Alexis Patri
Desired by the Keeper of the Seals Eric Dupond-Moretti within the framework of the law for confidence in the judicial institution, television cameras will be authorized in certain courtrooms from September 2022, for the first time since 1954. France 3 will be the first channel to try the exercise.
Divorce hearings or correctional trials to watch at home, from your sofa. What is usual in the United States will be authorized in France from next September, when cameras will now be authorized in courtrooms. It has been forbidden to film or photograph court hearings in France since 1954. All hearings can now be the subject of a filming request, including those usually closed to the public such as those at the juvenile court, those concerning family affairs or the enforcement of sentences.
Mandatory public interest objective
This measure was desired by the Keeper of the Seals Eric Dupond-Moretti within the framework of the law for confidence in the judicial institution, promulgated in December. For the moment, we know that France Télévisions will be the first group to try out this brand new format. France 3 has already planned to devote a program to these filmed trials. Filming for this program will begin in the spring in the Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal. This educational program will be broadcast in September.
Note that to bring a camera into a court, all broadcasters will have to send a request to the Ministry of Justice. The law specifies that each shooting must necessarily have an objective of public interest of an educational, cultural or scientific nature. This law also provides that the broadcast be “accompanied by elements describing the hearing and educational and accessible explanations on the functioning of justice”. In other words, viewers will not see a “raw” trial live, that is, without commentary.