Donald Trump’s appearance in court will not be televised after a judge denied requests to broadcast the unprecedented event live.
However, five photographers are allowed into the courtroom in Manhattan to take photos before proceedings begin.
Courtrooms in New York are usually not televised, but media organizations have argued that the American people should be able to see a case of such importance.
The US media organizations said the “seriousness of this procedure and, consequently, the need for the widest possible public access cannot be overemphasized.”
From Mr. Trump lawyers opposed the request, arguing that the presence of TV cameras would “create a circus-like atmosphere at the indictment, raise unique security concerns, and be inconsistent with President Trump’s presumption of innocence.”
Prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office did not take sides in the matter.
New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who will preside over the hearing, denied the request.
He wrote: “That this indictment is a case of monumental significance cannot possibly be disputed.
“Never in the history of the United States has a sitting or former president been charged with criminal charges.
Trump’s arraignment has generated unparalleled public interest and media attention.”
He continued: “The population is rightfully hungry for the most accurate and up-to-date information available. To suggest otherwise would be disingenuous.
“Unfortunately, while sincere and undoubtedly important, the interests of the news organizations must be weighed against competing interests.”
The judge ordered that the five photographers be allowed to stand in the jury box “before the start of the arraignment”.
They would be allowed to take photos for “a few minutes” until “the time when they are ordered by court personnel to leave the jury box”.