He says the movements of stenographers and sketch artists around courtrooms would be more obtrusive than a solitary camera positioned on a tripod. Frank McAvaney, however, remembers his time as a prosecution training officer when he video taped trainee police prosecutors trying cases. He maintains a vivid recollection of their response to subsequent viewings. While police who serve the courts as prosecutors or witnesses may be traumatised by televised court proceedings, McAvaney estimates that half of the Police Department's prosecutors would support the concept. But he also suggests that up to 90 per cent of operational police officers would be opposed.
Television networks are quite open about their desire to broadcast court proceedings.
The more open they can be about what they're doing the better off they are. And Willis denies that televised court proceedings would necessarily boost network ratings. Moreover, he says he doesn't regard it as entertainment and insists that it's all about providing information. But the networks' motivations are seen quite differently by Peter Alexander. Since time began, people are obviously entertained by the trial system.