Court stenographers not necessary

I have complained about the lack of court reporters, about courts not liking parties to make their own recordings. The NY Times has a debate:

Are Court Stenographers?

After a court reporter with a drinking problem left behind an incomplete record of at least six trials and two dozen other proceedings in Manhattan, the legal community was left to debate again if, in the age of digital recordings, court stenographers are needed.

Using automated tools would be a whole lot cheaper and more reliable.