New ruling expands media access to state executions

NASHVILLE — A Nashville judge granted a motion to allow journalists to witness a greater portion of state executions. A coalition of seven media outlets — including Six Rivers Media — sued the state in October of last year, alleging that the execution protocols in place at the Tennessee Department of Corrections violated the First Amendment. Friday afternoon, Judge I'Ashea Myles of the Davidson County Chancery Court granted the temporary injunction allowing media witnesses to see the full execution process. "It is in the public interest to ensure that the death penalty in the State of Tennessee both brings closure to victims and is done in an appropriate fashion," found Myles. "Having an independent media to report fully on the events of executions serves the public interest." Under previous protocols adopted in January of 2025, media witnesses were able to view only about 13 minutes of the execution of Oscar Franklin Smith before the blinds to the execution chamber were closed. Witnesses did not see the lethal injection IV lines being administered or the medical examiner's proclamation of death. During a hearing in December, attorneys representing the plaintiffs argued that these protocols did not satisfy state law giving media the right to be "present" at state executions. "This is a solemn duty that most journalists see as a duty to the public," said Attorney Paul McAdoo, representing the plaintiffs. "This [lawsuit] is about being able to do that more fully." Attorneys with the state argued that the carrying out of the death sentence only extends to a period of about 10 to 15 minutes. If media witnesses are allowed to stay any longer, it would endanger the privacy of prison security and others involved in the execution process. As per the ruling, TDOC is required by the court to amend its protocol in a few ways. First, TDOC must open the blinds to the witness rooms at 10 a.m. for lethal injections and 7 p.m. for electrocutions. The blinds must remain open until the medical examiner pronounces the condemned dead. In response to the state's arguments over privacy concerns, members of the execution team will be required to wear a coverall PPE suit to conceal their identification badge, hair and uniform. To more fully conceal their identities, team members will be offered masks to wear during the execution. Members of the TDOC communications team did not respond to requests for comment. It remains to be seen whether the state intends to appeal this decision. The next scheduled execution is set for May 21, 2026.