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PRESS IN THE SERVICE OF THE ACCUSED

NCJ Number
59967
Journal
Deviance et societe Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 65-69
Author(s)
G KIEJMAN
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF THE PRESS IN PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE IS EXPLORED.
Abstract
CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE PRESS AND CRIME ARE DIVERSE, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF NEWSPAPER AND THE KIND OF CASE INVOLVED. NEWSPAPERS PRESENT VIEWPOINTS ON LEGAL ISSUES AND PENALTIES SUCH AS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, EXPLORE PRISON CONDITIONS, AND EVEN STIMULATE PUBLIC REACTION OR REFLECTION TO INFLUENCE THE VERDICT IN PARTICULAR CASES. IN COURT CASES THE PRESS IS, ON ONE HAND, THE SOLE GUARANTEE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PROTECTION PROVIDED BY PUBLIC HEARINGS AND, ON THE OTHER HAND, A GUARANTEE THAT OFFENDERS OR VICTIMS GET THEIR DUE. IN TRIALS, WHICH ARE THE ONLY PUBLIC HEARING FOR CASES, NEWSPAPERS PROVIDE CHECKS ON THE PROCESS: THEY INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT JUDGES AND JUDGES ABOUT THE PUBLIC; THEY PRESENT ARGUMENTS OF BOTH SIDES AND THEIR OWN OPINIONS AS THEY EVOLVE; THEY ESTABLISH THE EQUILIBRIUM OF FORCES CONFRONTING EACH OTHER; AND THEY MAKE THE ACCUSED AND THE VERDICT COMPREHENSIBLE. THEY MAY ALSO ASSIST IN REHABILITATING THE OFFENDER BY PRESENTING HIS IMAGE FROM A HUMAN STANDPOINT OR MAY SERVE AS A MEANS OF RECONCILIATION AMONG JUDGES. DESPITS LIMITATIONS PLACED ON THE PRESS ROLE BY THE LARGE NUMBER OF TRIALS, THE PRESS MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO REVEAL JUDICIAL SCANDAL AND ERROR. A FEW NOTES ARE FURNISHED. --IN FRENCH. (KMD)