The judge: justice in prime time
Article Abstract:
The American public is largely ignorant of its justice system. This results from the media's sensationalism and a poor relationship between the criminal justice system and reporters. An adversarial relationship exists between court reporters, judges and trial lawyers. Judges believe the role of the press should be educational, while the press views itself as the public's representative. Trial lawyers see the media as another tool to manipulate juries. More cooperation between judges and reporters and more coverage of real trials should demystify the criminal justice system and help educate the public.
Publication Name: Media Studies Journal
Subject: Mass communications
ISSN: 1057-7416
Year: 1992
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The victim: twice wounded
Article Abstract:
The 1986 murder of Jennifer Levin by Robert Chambers in New York was sensationalized by the press using parts of several different confessions offered by Chambers to suggest that Levin was at least partly at fault. The Levin family was harassed by the press, and the actions of the press made the experience more traumatic than it would otherwise have been. Though the media are mainly self-serving and often irresponsible, the use of cameras in the courtroom, for example, may have the beneficial effect of making the crime and trial proceedings real to the public.
Publication Name: Media Studies Journal
Subject: Mass communications
ISSN: 1057-7416
Year: 1992
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You want me to read a what?
Article Abstract:
Media coverage of the William Kennedy Smith rape trial and the Senate hearings of Anita Hill's testimony have recently demonstrated the power of the media to bring coverage of important legal topics to large numbers of people and points out the educational potential of coverage. Coverage of civil cases is neglected by the media because they are not perceived as interesting by producers, but in a three year experimental program in Philadelphia, cases have been broadcast that are both interesting and educational.
Publication Name: Media Studies Journal
Subject: Mass communications
ISSN: 1057-7416
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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