Effect of Media Trial on Democracy and Administration of Justice

ABSTRACT

The legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Indian government work together to maintain the countrys democratic system. According to Lord Macaulay, the "media" constitute the "fourth pillar" of a democratic society. Getting individuals to think differently and become more conscious is always important. The only way to do this and guarantee democracy is via free and independent media. The "Freedom of Media" is not explicitly mentioned in Part 3 of the Indian Constitution, but the Supreme Court has interpreted Article 19(1)(a), which guarantees the "Freedom of speech and expression," to ensure that this right is protected. Nowadays, individuals can keep up with whats occurring in the globe thanks to the medias advancements in digital technology. However, media outlets have recently come under fire for their alleged tendency to sensationalize and misrepresent facts in their coverage of high-profile cases. There should never be any tension between the media and the court since each has an equal role to play in maintaining justice. The media bypasses the court and meddles in its operations under the pretense of investigative journalism. A fair and impartial trial is being severely impeded by this. Both the degree to which freedom is restricted and the freedom itself are the primary topics of this research paper. Additional emphasis is placed on the consequences of media trials that undermine the fairness of the court system by interfering with it under the guise of free speech. The effects of the media trial on the rights to privacy, reputation, and a fair trial are also discussed in the essay.

FULL TEXT