The six-month milestone of the Supreme Court rule allowing Expanded Media Coverage in trial courts was celebrated with awards from Nebraska broadcasters to several of the rule’s founders. Following the September 26, 2017, video conference for reporters, Nebraska Broadcasters Association Executive Director Jim Timm presented Judicial Branch and broadcast industry individuals with the prestigious NBA Chairman’s Award in appreciation for work regarding media cameras in the Nebraska courtrooms.

Recipients were:

Justice Jeffrey Funke and Judge Leigh Ann Retelsdorf for volunteering to co-chair the rule writing committee for cameras in the courtroom. Without Justice Funke and Judge Retelsdorf, the current access given to cameras and audio would not be what it is today.   

Judge Todd Hutton for the foresight to establish the PEOPLE Bench-Media Committee over 10 years ago, his ongoing work with media and courts on areas of mutual interest and his service as advisor to the camera rule writing committee.

KETV News Director Rose Ann Shannon for advocacy of cameras in the courtroom throughout her broadcast career using her Iowa Media Coordinator experience to inform judges of possibilities of coverage without conflict, for a well-earned level of respect within the journalism community and for the trust she has instilled in the legal community and courts. 

Nebraska Educational Television producer Bill Kelly for countless hours of volunteer work to educate judges and journalists, his service as a mentor to journalists who seek to work within the court system, and for coverage of court stories throughout the state which has opened many courts to video and audio coverage.

Supreme Court Public Information Officer Janet Bancroft for serving the role of air traffic controller in an effort to coordinate and foster open communication and ongoing dialogue between all courts and journalists, plus the effective ability to bring contrasting points of view together.

The Nebraska Broadcasters Association Chairman’s Award is the highest honor presented to an individual or organization (either with or without broadcasting ties), whom the sitting Chairman feels has been especially supportive of Nebraska Broadcasters Association initiatives through recent and significant work. David Kelly of Wayne, Nebraska is the current Chairman of the Board.

The September video conference was the second of two media outreach projects co-sponsored by Nebraska Educational Television, the Nebraska Broadcasters Association, and the Nebraska Judicial Branch to review Nebraska’s new rule regarding cameras in courts.

Photo: Nebraska Educational Television producer Bill Kelly, Supreme Court Justice Jeff Funke, NBA Executive Director Jim Timm, Supreme Court Public Information Officer Janet Bancroft, KETV News Director Rose Ann Shannon, and Judge Todd Hutton. Not pictured: Judge Leigh Ann Retelsdorf.