For years, reporters were told agencies shared transcript revenue fairly — once roughly 70/30, later framed as 50/50. But when a reporter earns $2.80 per page while the client pays over $11, the numbers reveal something else entirely. Hidden fees and opaque billing distort the market, push attorneys toward cheaper alternatives, and damage trust in stenography itself. Transparency isn’t regulation — it’s survival.
Tag Archives: ProfessionalEthics
When a Celebration Becomes a Lottery – The Legal Risks Behind “Enter to Win” Promotions in the Court Reporting Industry
A well-intended recruitment promotion can cross a legal line. When participants must provide referrals or testimonials for a chance to win a prize, the offer may become a raffle — and commercial raffles are prohibited in California. For court reporters, whose work supports the judicial record, the issue extends beyond marketing compliance to professional integrity and public trust.
The Polite Language of Professional Displacement
Veritext’s latest CEU webinar series is being framed as professional development, but its core message deserves scrutiny. By asserting that capture method does not matter, the programming advances a narrative that conflicts with evidentiary law, professional ethics, and NCRA’s stated mission. With CEU approval still pending, members have a narrow window to speak up—before silence is mistaken for consent.
Who Trained the Machine?
AutoScript AI is marketed as a “legal-grade” AI transcription solution trained on “millions of hours of verified proceedings,” yet the company provides no public definition of what verification means in a legal context or where that data originated. Founded and led by technology executive Rene Arvin, the platform reflects a broader trend of general ASR tools being rebranded for legal use without the transparency traditionally required in court reporting.
When Campaign Emails Cross the Line – A Closer Look at the NCRA Vice President Race
Margary Rogers’ campaign email for NCRA Vice President sparked concern for its tone, tactics, and alignment. While promoting experience and leadership, the message included subtle jabs at opponents and leaned heavily on personal branding. With the profession at a crossroads, members should expect professionalism over promotion, and clarity over charisma. This election is about trust, not just titles—and our standards should reflect that.
STENOIMPERIUM 