What was OpenCourt?

OpenCourt was an experimental project run by WBUR, Boston’s NPR news station, that used digital technology to make Quincy District Court more accessible to the public. Anyone with an internet connection was able to see and hear what goes on in court from September 2012 to December 2012.

This project is no longer active.
You can contact WBUR about this project at info@wbur.org.

Mission Statement

OpenCourt is a pilot project that will experiment with how digital technologies can foster the openness of the American courts with the idea that more transparent courts make for a stronger democracy.

By live-streaming video of court proceedings and setting up a WiFi network for use by journalists and bloggers, OpenCourt will provide full multimedia access to Quincy District Court just south of Boston.

Along with bringing the court online, the long-term goal of OpenCourt is to use our experience in the Quincy District Court to help courts around the country implement technologies and craft digital media policies. To this end, we will be documenting the step-by-step process of wiring the court and creating a forum where those interested in government transparency, the law and technology can connect.

This project was being run by WBUR, Boston’s NPR news station, and funded by the Knight News Challenge.