WASHINGTON —  The Supreme Court will release audio tapes soon after Wednesday's argument in a case about limits on campaign spending by corporations and labor unions.

The court said Friday it has agreed to a request by the C-SPAN cable network for the quick release of audio in the case that involves a movie, made by a conservative group, that was harshly critical of Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential ambitions. The court most recently made same-day audio available after arguments over a key provision of the federal Voting Rights Act in April.

C-SPAN said it expects to air the audio recording soon after the argument concludes, probably around 11:30 a.m. EDT.

The immediate, same-day release of audio tapes following arguments in major cases started in the 2000 presidential election, when the justices decided appeals of the Florida recount controversy in favor of George W. Bush.

The court records arguments and ordinarily releases them at the end of each term. With television cameras barred from the court and reporters prohibited from using tape recorders in the courtroom, the availability of audio provides the public with a chance to hear the justices at work.

The case is Citizens United v. FEC, 08-205.

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