For purposes of these rules, ‘‘media’’ means any person or entity that is regularly engaged in the gathering and dissemination of news and that is approved by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator.
Section 1-10A.Definition of ‘‘Media’’
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceDefines who counts as "media" for Connecticut's court coverage rules: a person or entity regularly engaged in gathering and disseminating news that has been approved by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator.
Full Text of Section 1-10A
Amendment History
(Adopted June 29, 2007, to take effect Jan. 1, 2008.)
Plain-English Summary
This section sets the definition that anchors every other media-coverage rule in this chapter. To qualify as “media” under the Practice Book, a person or organization must regularly gather and disseminate news, and the Office of the Chief Court Administrator must approve them. Both conditions matter: a one-time blogger or a curious bystander with a phone doesn't qualify just by showing up with a camera, and even a legitimate news outlet needs the office's sign-off before its request for courtroom access gets evaluated under Sections 1-10B and 1-11A through 1-11C.
The definition doesn't grant any right to broadcast, record, or photograph court proceedings by itself. It establishes the gatekeeping category that the rest of the media-coverage framework relies on when deciding who may ask for electronic coverage and whose requests judicial authorities will consider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as “media” under Connecticut court rules?
A person or entity that regularly gathers and disseminates news and has been approved by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator.
Does a freelance photographer qualify as media?
Only if they regularly gather and disseminate news and have received approval from the Office of the Chief Court Administrator; occasional or one-off activity doesn’t meet the definition.
Does this section let media broadcast or record trials?
No. It only defines the term “media.” The actual rules on what coverage is allowed appear in Sections 1-10B and 1-11A through 1-11C.
Who approves media for court coverage purposes?
The Office of the Chief Court Administrator.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 1-10A). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
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