NCJ Number
127179
Journal
Law and Human Behavior Volume: 14 Issue: 5 Dated: special issue (October 1990) Pages: 399-451
Date Published
1990
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Law and the media have become intertwined in today's society. A significant portion of news coverage includes videotaped highlights of ongoing trials, reporters' post-trial interviews with jurors on controversial cases, or the legal troubles of political leaders. Research on media and the law has generated a substantial body of knowledge, including insights into the content and style of media coverage of legal issues, the impact of the media on social behavior and attitudes, and the effect of media coverage on the conduct of specific trials.
Abstract
Analysis of the media's coverage of crime, law, and justice shows that the media mirror does not accurately reflect reality at all times. By selectively reporting social events, the media actively constructs social and political reality. This issue therefore includes an article which studies the impact of media treatment of criminal justice issues on public opinion. Two articles address fair trial issues by studying the impact of media coverage on trials. One article reviews assertions about the impact of cameras in courtrooms. The legal regulation of the media and media libel litigation are the topics of another article. The issue concludes with an afterword which highlights the contributions the previous articles have made and proposes alternative ways to conceptualize the media and law relationship. 51 references