Media Joins Tenenbaum in His Wish to Have His Trial Broadcasted Online

On January 22th we reported that what was supposed to be the first online broadcast of a file sharing hearing had been postponed (read more). But the defendant, Joel Tenenbaum, a graduate student accused of sharing seven songs over the Internet, is determined to have his entire trial webcasted.

Moreover, as many as fourteen news organizations, among which the Associated Press, The New York Times, Dow Jones, Court TV, NPR, The Washington Post, NBU Universal, and some others as well, are pleading in favour of the RIAA's case being streamed online as this would be without a doubt, in the public interest, Zeropaid reports.

Joel Tenenbaum, a graduate student accused of sharing seven songs online, wants his entire trial streamed online. The RIAA objected and the entire issue is now before the First Circuit Court of Appeals, which has already heard from press outlets about the importance of opening the court process to public scrutiny. Now,

The Tenenbaum's lawyers have recently come forward with a three-page long brief. As the brief was lacking solid statements and arguments, the fact that there was a prompt a support from legal groups and a separate brief filed by the EFF and other public interest organizations can be considered as an auspicious intervention. It allowed Tenenbaum to accept "their arguments as his own."

In its turn the RIAA is appealing U.S. District Judge Nancy Gertner's decision to give green light to this online streaming which the trade group claims doesn’t comply with federal court guidelines on cameras and could actually mean a less fair trial.

"The camera access authorized by the district court utilizes modern technology for maximum public benefit, and does so without impeding in any way the fair administration of justice or compromising the dignity of the court," their brief says.

The RIAA must be fearing this webcast quite a bit judging after their arguments. They say that broadcasting a single trial "would not put the spotlight on the courts’ decisions in these cases nationwide or even the single decision in this case. Instead it would likely serve to highlight selectively the arguments of a single counsel in a limited part of a single case."

However, the important thing here is the awakening of the major media outlets who have decided to play their part in what could be a major legal breakthrough as they should do.

You can also learn more about the case visiting http://joelfightsback.com/