Using federal rules about confidentiality of medical information, a drug court in Providence, R.I., has barred the public and the press and gagged everyone involved in any and all proceedings. The court even refused to reveal the gender of the court's first defendant. The excuse is that the court is trying to get drug users into treatment, and such treatment is medical and therefore confidential. The Star Chamber was banned in this country because it invariably breeds corruption and favoritism. But the fools always manage to find a way.
American journalism has a tradition of muckraking, uncovering corruption and misdeeds.
Sleazy presidential pardons. A teacher accused of having sex with a student. A sleazy rapper at the Grammys. A turncoat spy. Sleaze merchants getting a city liquor license.