The judge in the criminal case against Kobe Bryant for sexual assault has issued a ruling sharply limiting how the media will cover the upcoming trial through TV and still cameras.  

The court cited the possibility of media intrusion affecting the fairness of the proceedings.

Jury selection in the case begins Friday.

Judge Ruckriegle's ruling balances the need to ensure a fair trial and the First Amendment rights of the media, said one legal expert.

"I think that from the O.J. (Simpson) media debacle, judges have become very averse to allowing real-time television coverage of proceedings including the trial in their courtrooms," the expert said. "I think this is a healthy reaction on their part in the interests of securing the defendant's Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial and the empanelment of an impartial jury."