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Fair Trial: Media in the Courtroom

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Fair Trial: Media in the Courtroom
Anyone that has watched television, has probably watched a civil or criminal court case. Court TV, Judge Judy, The Peoples Court, or even the news. Odds are, these shows have altered your perception about what happens in court. The media being present in this type of environment can influence how a person acts. Some people might get nervous and be apt to change their testimony, or might even play it up for the camera. With the peer pressure of being on television, do you think allowing media in the courtroom could affect witnesses’ testimonials and juror’s verdicts?

There has been an ongoing debate whether the media should be allowed in the courtroom. Media has been present in courtrooms since 63 B.C. (Court Reporting, n.d.). Throughout the ages, media has been involved in courtroom proceedings in one way or another. During the founding of our country, media presence was encouraged for the meeting of the Continental Congress sessions. Over time, media in the courtroom has been on the frontlines of controversy. There has been numerous court hearings relating to the media and if the media should be allowed in courtrooms during trials. One of the biggest arguments is the concern that the presence of media can affect the testimonials of witnesses’ or influence the jury’s verdict. There has been numerous court hearings relating to the media and if they should be allowed in courtrooms during trial.

Under the Constitution of the United States, the First Amendment guarantees one to the right for Freedom of Speech, Press, Assembly, and Religion. This amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” (U.S. Constitution Online, n.d., ). This amendment entitles the media the freedom to report to the public anything that


References: Alexander, S. L. (2004). Media and American Courts. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC CLIO Inc. Bruno, A.(n.d.) Jessica Lunsford: Death of a 9- year-old. Retrieved August 1, 2009, from http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/predators/jessica_lunsford/1_index.html Greene, E. (October1990). Media Effects on Jurors. Law & Human Behavior, 5(14), p. 439-450 Grace, N Jones, T (n.d.) O. J. Simpson. Retrieved August 1, 2009, from http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/famous/simpson/index_1.html Madison, J. and Delegates of the Philadelphia Convention (1787). United States Constitution. Retrieved August 1, 2009, from www.usconstitution.net/const.html Schuetz, J and Lilley, L. (1999) The OJ Simspon Trials. Southern Illinois University Press Surette, R
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