Media Glare and Fair Trial (Paper)
- Dipali Singh, Fairfield Institute of Management and Technology
- October 28, 2020
Content :
Media acts as the fourth pillar of democracy which keeps the other three pillars in checks and acts as the fabric and mirror of society. It has the power to sway, manipulate, and revolutionize the masses either in a positive or in a negative manner. Free media is a sine qua non to democracy. Media is not only a medium to express one’s opinions and views, but it is also instrumental for building point of views and thoughts on numerous topics of regional, national and international interests. In many cases, media has been justified in calling for the perpetrators to be punished in accordance with the law. However, recently the media has been taking over the functions of the judiciary and is deviating from its main role of unbiased reporting. The implications of the unaccountability of media are proving to be unhealthy for democracy. This article analyses the concept of media trials and their intervention with the judiciary. Moreover, this paper will discuss the positive as well as the negative points of the media trial. It further suggests the necessary steps that should be taken to prevent media trials from eroding the civil rights of citizens.
