NCJ Number
139378
Journal
Media Studies Journal Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1992), 45-52
Date Published
1992
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The mother of a girl who was raped and murdered describes how she believes media coverage of her daughter's murder and the subsequent trial added to the grief and victimization of the family.
Abstract
While recognizing the conflict between the public's right to know and the victims' right to privacy, she maintains that the press abandoned any pretense to making ethical decisions in its actions. The defense lawyer in this case based his strategy on tainting the dead girl's reputation, and the sensationalistic press followed his cue, despite the pain and humiliation such stories caused the family. The press became even more intrusive during the trial. Several other examples of recent cases illustrate how the media's quest to fulfill the public's right to know victimizes all parties involved. While this author supports opening courtrooms to television, she would favor banning cameras if their presence would inhibit witnesses from testifying or would cause unnecessary duress for victims and their families.