In Support of Efforts to Counter Disinformation Against the Courts
Resolution 4: In Support of Efforts to Counter Disinformation Against the Courts
WHEREAS, the Conference of Chief Justices ("CCJ") and the Conference of State Court Administrators ("COSCA") recognize that public trust and confidence in the judiciary is critical to the effective and efficient administration of justice; and
WHEREAS, CCJ and COSCA recognize that public trust and confidence in American democratic institutions, including both state and federal courts, have declined in recent years; and
WHEREAS, disinformation is defined as false or inaccurate information that is spread deliberately, often initiated by adversaries; and
WHEREAS, there is widespread documentation of efforts to undermine confidence in American democratic institutions, including the courts, through the spread of disinformation; and
WHEREAS, certain state court systems, notably the Supreme Court of Arizona, have organized their own efforts to develop strategies to identify and counter such efforts; and
WHEREAS, opinion research conducted by the National Center for State Courts reveals that Americans are concerned about disinformation attacks undermining the integrity of the courts;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators encourage members to:
- Develop programs to present information about the courts and the importance of media literacy in upholding democracy;
- Establish and maintain an online presence, including a website and social media accounts that are regularly updated with accurate information;
- Review and amend, as appropriate, state-level codes of judicial conduct to ensure judicial officers may respond to false, misleading, or unsubstantiated attacks when they arise; and
- Incorporate recommendations from the National Center for State Courts' "Combating Disinformation: A Playbook for State Courts" into rapid response and crisis communications planning.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators urge the National Center for State Courts to continue its active efforts to monitor, catalogue, and report on disinformation attacks on courts and judges across the states and territories to maintain public trust and confidence.
Adopted as proposed by the CCJ/COSCA Public Engagement, Trust, and Confidence Committee at the CCJ/COSCA 2022 Annual Meeting on July 27, 2022.