Reymann said Utah's rule has worked well for 20 years and should not be abandoned because of one photograph.

And he said that particular photograph was not privileged communication, but something Jeffs unsuccessfully tried to give to the judge and make public, and whose contents were verified by many other sources.

"The Deseret Morning News has never used digital photography enhancement to snoop on privileged communications in court, and would never do so. Its decision to enhance the document that Mr. Jeffs tried to give the judge was based on the fact that the document was not privileged, was of critical public interest, and was part of a public court proceeding," Reymann said.

"The mere fact that technology could possibly be abused has never been a justification to abandon that technology altogether, or to revert to an antiquated system of press coverage that would undermine the public's right to fully observe the judicial process," Reymann said.

Nancy Volmer, spokeswoman for the Administrative Office of the Courts, said the issue was raised with the Judicial Council's management committee, which directed State Court Administrator Daniel Becker to send a letter to Utah media attorneys and reporters.

It advises lawyers to discuss the matter with their media clients and reminds them that still photography is permitted at a judge's discretion. The letter recommends that media attorneys "stress the importance of refraining from further actions that could jeopardize still photography in the courtroom."

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E-mail: lindat@desnews.com