Supreme Court, Media and the

The relationship between the media and the U.S. Supreme Court differs from that between the media and other institutions in terms of the deference that mass media outlets have shown the court throughout history. By covering the court less frequently and in a less political manner than the other branches of government, the media enhance the court's legitimacy, which allows it to function more effectively.

The court's high degree of legitimacy and level of public support facilitate compliance with its rulings. Americans do not hear very much about the Supreme Court's activities, which may partially be a result of the way the mass media cover the court's activities. The justices do not give frequent press conferences and are rarely interviewed by journalists. They generally seek to ...