What are those glass shields in front of podiums?

Question:There are glass plates in front of podiums when somebody is giving a speach and I've always wondered what they are. Does anybody know what those are called and what their purpose is?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: There are glass plates in front of podiums when somebody is giving a speach and I've always wondered what they are. Does anybody know what those are called and what their purpose is?

Neither of the below. They are one way mirrors, they've been used since the Kennedy era. It's easier to talk to yourself than to face a crowd. More than likely since 911 they are also made of bullet resistant plexiglass.

teleprompter... it basically is a cheat sheet for the speaker they just read from it as the words go across the screen that is what they read as they are speaking

I keeps people from hitting them with feces.