MEDIA COVERAGE ON TRIALS OF CRIMINAL CASES

Newsworthiness is the ability of a story to attract massive media coverage. A criminal
case is newsworthy if it is current and has an impact on a large number of people. The
prominence of the perpetrators of the crime also determines its worthiness in that a case is given
more coverage if it involves famous personalities (Papandrea, 2013). Investigations of human
interest lead to public obsession, and their verdicts are subject to scrutiny by the public. Most
cases that result in public obsession are those that involve famous personalities and celebrities.
The media’s concern in court proceedings includes public information and the financial
benefits that accrue from the coverage rather than matters of fair trial and due process (Schaefer
et al, 2014). It results in different perceptions among those in the courtroom and individuals that
follow the proceedings through media coverage. While those in the courtroom get first hand and
clear information, people watching proceedings on television may get different information due
to the press’s interpretation of the trial (Hans, 1991).
Human interest in a case determines the popularity of the jury verdict. The trial
proceedings of a case that attracts high levels of human interest are closely monitored by the
public thus resulting in the popularity of the jury verdict (Pfautz, 2015). The public’s opinion
towards a decision also determines its popularity levels. Undue process and an unfair trial are
factors that contribute to differences in opinion on the fairness of the jury verdict. Failure to
follow due process during the hearing results in different views among the public. The general
sense of justice is not equitable to winning a case. Justice is experienced when the court accords
a fair trial, and the jury gives a fair verdict. However, it does not amount to winning the case
since an appropriate decision may result in a reasonable sentence for the accused if found guilty.

MEDIA COVERAGE ON TRIALS OF CRIMINAL CASES

References

Gross-Schaefer, A., Gala, S., Block, J., & Terry, W. (2014). Are Media Interference and
Technical Complexities Crippling the Ability of Juries to Deliver Fair
Verdicts. JL Bus. & Ethics, 20, 1.
Hans, V. P., & Dee, J. L. (1991). Media Coverage of Law Its Impact on Juries and the
Public. The American Behavioral Scientist (1986-1994), 35(2), 136.
Papandrea, M. R. (2013). Moving Beyond Cameras in the Courtroom: The Supreme
Court, Technology, and the Media. Brigham Young University Law
Review, 2012(6), 1901.
Pfautz, M. W. (2015). What Would a Reasonable Jury Do? Jury Verdicts Following
Summary Judgment Reversals. Columbia Law Review, 1255-1295.