THE RISE OF MEDIA TRIALS IN INDIA

Abstract

The enhancement of ‘media trials’ on the legal landscape in India has posed a problematic issue, reshaping the relationship between public opinion and court room. Media attention in high-profile criminal cases, in particular, extends beyond merely collecting facts to framing narratives that shape perceptions of guilt and innocence. In this chapter, we explore how media trials have evolved and developed consciousness in India specifically with a reference to its impact on public perception and legal proceedings. Investigating the impact of sensationalist reporting, 24-hour news cycles, and social media amplifications on the presumption of innocence and the impartiality of legal proceedings are important areas of focus. The chapter discusses situations where media narratives have influenced public opinion, preceded court rulings, and occasionally impacted legal outcomes, citing case studies from recent decades. The chapter also emphasizes the conflict between media freedom and the right to a fair trial by going over the ethical and legal frameworks governing journalism. Additionally, it examines social media's function as a "new court" that can affect judicial impartiality, change public opinion, and undermine the presumption of innocence.
Additionally, the chapter offers a comparative overview by examining legislative frameworks from countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, where judicial actions and codified laws establish distinct boundaries between the rights to a fair trial and media freedom. The study promotes the implementation of updated media regulations, institutional safeguards, and digital content monitoring systems that effectively balance press freedom and judicial objectivity. The chapter ends with recommendations for responsible reporting tactics and legislative frameworks to lessen the negative effects of media trials.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.65525/SVUP.9788199328655.2026.27-36