What is the purpose of a protective order in court reporting?

A protective order serves a crucial purpose in court reporting by limiting the disclosure of sensitive information. Such orders are often put in place to safeguard confidential or sensitive data from being publicly disclosed during a legal proceeding. This can include personal information about parties involved, proprietary business information, or any other data that could cause harm if revealed.

By establishing boundaries around what information can be disclosed, a protective order ensures that the legal process respects the privacy and confidentiality rights of individuals or entities involved in a case. This allows the court to maintain a proper balance between the need for transparency in legal proceedings and the protection of sensitive information.

The other options do not accurately reflect the role of a protective order. They either pertain to aspects of trial procedure or evidence presentation rather than the fundamental purpose of protecting sensitive information.