Media Trial: Its Implications on Fair Trial S...

Media Trial: Its Implications on Fair Trial System in India

Author Name : Abdul Zabbar Akhan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56025/IJARESM.2023.119231687

ABSTRACT Media is undoubtedly an important means and way to exchange mass communication, ideas and opinions of mass people and media helps in the circulation of information on a large scale. Therefore Free, sovereign and powerful media are also considered as the fourth pillar and the oxygen of democracy and also the ‘eyes and ears’ of the society. Free and independent media is proactive in keeping ordinary people educated regarding political, social and financial activities in a democracy. India’s criminal justice system totally depends on the golden principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty.’ However, in the media trial case, this fundamental principle was completely ignored. To ensure a fair trial in court, there are certain procedures established by law but in the case of the media trial, these procedures should not be followed. The media trial creates potential effects on the rights of the accused, the procedure established by law for a fair trial and the judge’s subconscious mind, which later violates the proper administration of justice.