The media, while being the watchdog of democracy, plays a very multi-faceted role in the society. From entertainment to infotainment to myth-buster and much more, it is connected to the lives, opinions and thoughts of every person in the nation. However, it does not take long for the media to exceed its role and enter into the judicial domain. From the infamous Nithari killings to the Sanjay Dutt case, media trials have showcased their power to influence public opinions and even investigations. While they have contributed to effective investigation on several accounts, they have also led to severe moral policing and public pressure on the Judiciary and its process. The recent trend of sensationalism has not only increased TRP’s but also encouraged insensitivity on delicate matters and victim protection. This research paper aims to understand the role of such media trials on Constitutional rights of fair trial, presumption of innocence and right to freedom of expression in light of media trials conducted by the Indian Media.
Mujmer et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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