The Pennsylvania Bar Association Bar/Press Committee is composed of both members of the bar and members of the media. The committee is co-chaired by a member of the PBA and a member of the Pennsylvania Newspapers Association (PNA).

Several years ago, the committee assumed the responsibility for coordinating the William A. Schnader Print Media Awards Competition. The goal of the competition is to recognize journalism that enhances the public�s understanding of the justice system, the courts and the people who serve them. The efforts of the committee are coordinated with the law firm of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP, which funds the competition. This was the 25th anniversary of the awards competition. The awards were presented at the PNA Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, and the committee held a meeting in conjunction with the presentation.

The issue of audio/visual coverage of the courts is one in which the committee has had great interest. Through the years, the committee has explored meaningful ways in which the issue could be raised. The committee was interested in putting forth a pilot program that would be narrow in scope, maintain courtroom decorum and be under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. In January 2005, Senator Greenleaf introduced new legislation that would allow audio/visual coverage of all court proceedings in Pennsylvania. Since Senator Greenleaf has made this a public issue, the Bar/Press Committee felt it appropriate to put forth its proposal, which clearly limits the scope of coverage and places the jurisdiction of such coverage with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and not the General Assembly. That resolution was submitted to the PBA Board of Governors and House of Delegates for consideration at their May 2005 meetings.

The committee continues its efforts to monitor other legislation of interest to both the PNA and the PBA.