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For the past two years there has been considerable discussion of the Association's Canon 35 of the Canons of Judicial Ethics, which forbids the taking of pictures or the broadcasting or televising of court proceedings. In general, news agencies feel that freedom of the press entitles them to broadcast from courtrooms and to take news pictures in court. Judges and lawyers are interested in preserving the dignity and decorum of the courts and in safeguarding the rights of the litigants and witnesses. At present, the American Bar Foundation is conducting a study of the canons and its report may suggest some revision of Canon 35. Professor Geis writes of recent developments on the subject.

The American Bar Association adopted Canon 35 of its Canons of Judicial Ethics in 1937 after a series of raucous publicity circuses during criminal trials outraged the sense of decency of the judicial professions.'The Canon, now the …