The rise of “STENO United” and the Fearless Stenographers Conference reflects a growing trend in our field: advocacy transformed into spectacle. Inspiration becomes insulation when branding replaces transparency, and unity becomes a tool for silencing dissent. Our profession doesn’t need one movement claiming moral authority—it needs distributed, ethical leadership grounded in accountability, not curated mythology.
Tag Archives: TransparencyMatters
A Membership Wall Around Opportunity – NCRA’s New Jobs Board Restriction Raises Questions in a Shrinking Profession
The National Court Reporters Association has quietly restricted its Jobs Board to dues-paying members only, blocking more than 13,000 qualified non-member reporters from viewing official court reporter openings. The move comes amid nationwide staffing shortages in court systems and raises concerns that a membership paywall could shrink the hiring pool and undermine efforts to preserve stenographic officialships. Critics warn the policy conflicts with the profession’s survival needs.
The Case for Court Reporter Cost Transparency and Industry Reform
Attorneys are furious over rising court reporting costs—but the truth is, reporters aren’t the ones profiting. Agencies are marking up per diems by 100–200%, keeping fees for add-ons like exhibits and digital access, while reporters see less than half. It’s time for legislative reform, transparency, and a fair compensation model that protects the profession—and restores integrity to the legal record.
STENOIMPERIUM 