The Supreme Court of Canada has said The open court principle is of crucial importance in a democratic society. It ensures that citizens have access to the courts and can, as a result, comment on how the courts operate and on proceedings that take place in them. Public access to the courts also guarantees the integrity of judicial processes inasmuch as the transparency that flows from access ensures that justice is rendered in a manner that is not arbitrary but is in accordance with the rule of law CBC v. Canada (Attorney General) 2011 SCC 2 If courts are open to the public and trials are public proceedings, why are taking photographs and videos not permitted?