The Reynolds National Center for the Courts and Media -- University of Nevada, Reno, dedicates itself to strengthening an independent judiciary and a free press, the safeguards without which there would be no American democracy.
Its missions are:
To provide the physical location and the appropriate atmosphere for continuing debates and discussions among journalists and judges on the relationship between the two. Clearly, with a public skeptical of both the media's commitment to accurate reporting and the judiciary's ability to administer justice, both sides have a keen interest in improving understanding of the other's challenges. The Center will provide both the place and the institutional support for the two professions to come together.
To augment and expand the media relations segments of the current courses at The National Judicial College through the work of the resident director of the Center.
To create special seminars involving both the judiciary and the media, both jointly and separately, to facilitate the understanding and appreciation each has for the other's responsibilities, including courses for judges to learn more about the media and its operations and how to deal with the media in given circumstances and courses for journalists, particularly journalists newly assigned the legal beat and journalism students seeking to specialize in legal reporting. National Conferences on Media and the Law open to court personnel and media representatives will be held as needed and as funding permits.
To serve as a resource center for journalists who need sources for stories they are writing or editing. By maintaining lists of judges from across the country who may be willing to comment in ways that do not conflict with ethical restrictions, the Center may be able to assist reporters in getting information that may not be available otherwise, for example, from a judge in a pending case who would feel compromised by commenting during trial.
To facilitate the mission and focus of the National Center for the Courts and Media, representatives from The National Judicial College and the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism collectively created a National Advisory Council for the Center. This Advisory Board will make recommendations for developing the courses and seminars, publications and research activities of the Center. The Members include representatives of the working media, organizations of publishers and broadcasters of the Reynolds School of Journalism, the Reynolds Foundation, and active judges and attorneys with experience in highly publicized trials and other media relationships.