Criminal cases in the spotlight: Media bias in trials
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Thomas Loikith
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 10:30 AM
End Date
25-4-2025 11:29 AM
Description
Freedom of press under the First Amendment and the right to a fair trial under the Sixth Amendment have long been in conflict. Criminal cases that receive much media attention, especially on social media, might result in distorted narratives that undermine the judiciary's objectivity.Pretrial publicity that is biased, sensationalized reporting, and public speculation can influence jurors, pressure judges, and eventually cast doubt on the presumption of innocence. This raises questions: What impact does media coverage have on criminal trial judicial fairness? What legal actions can reduce these consequences while maintaining press freedom and upholding constitutional protections? An interdisciplinary approach is necessary to understand and suggest viable solutions due to the complexity of this problem. I use the fields of law and social psychology to examine this issue. I analyze Supreme Court decisions, legal scholarship, and media studies using qualitative research methodology to evaluate how judicial systems react to media influence. I also examine psychological studies on jury selection and public opinion formation to determine the degree of courtroom bias caused by the media. My goal is to comprehensively analyze media influence on the legal system and propose ways to uphold judicial integrity. Preserving trial fairness in this media-filled era may require stronger judicial protections, such as increased jury sequestration, stricter gag orders, and improved change-of-venue policies. Ethical journalism practices and media literacy programs may also help mitigate negative pretrial publicity. Future legal systems must balance press freedom with ensuring fair trials for criminal defendants.
Criminal cases in the spotlight: Media bias in trials
Freedom of press under the First Amendment and the right to a fair trial under the Sixth Amendment have long been in conflict. Criminal cases that receive much media attention, especially on social media, might result in distorted narratives that undermine the judiciary's objectivity.Pretrial publicity that is biased, sensationalized reporting, and public speculation can influence jurors, pressure judges, and eventually cast doubt on the presumption of innocence. This raises questions: What impact does media coverage have on criminal trial judicial fairness? What legal actions can reduce these consequences while maintaining press freedom and upholding constitutional protections? An interdisciplinary approach is necessary to understand and suggest viable solutions due to the complexity of this problem. I use the fields of law and social psychology to examine this issue. I analyze Supreme Court decisions, legal scholarship, and media studies using qualitative research methodology to evaluate how judicial systems react to media influence. I also examine psychological studies on jury selection and public opinion formation to determine the degree of courtroom bias caused by the media. My goal is to comprehensively analyze media influence on the legal system and propose ways to uphold judicial integrity. Preserving trial fairness in this media-filled era may require stronger judicial protections, such as increased jury sequestration, stricter gag orders, and improved change-of-venue policies. Ethical journalism practices and media literacy programs may also help mitigate negative pretrial publicity. Future legal systems must balance press freedom with ensuring fair trials for criminal defendants.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.