ROLE OF MEDIA IN HIGHLIGHTING THE CRIME: STRIKING THE BALANCE BETWEEN RIGHTS OF ACCUSED AND VICTIM

Abstract

The effects of both traditional and online news media on how society looks at crime, how it has shaped the role of people in the criminal justice system, and what impact it has had on the rights of the two main sides, the accused and the victim, are discussed in this paper. It says that strong reporting and open justice can exist together with fair-trial rights and respect for victims, as long as clear limits are set. One useful method suggested to reduce bias and secondary harm caused by newsrooms is the use of a “balance matrix” and decision- making models, which can help in protecting press freedom. In India, media trials have become common, with the media often acting like a court in high- profile cases. This paper looks at how media trials affect the legal process and the basic rights of suspects in India. In this paper, important cases and court decisions will be studied to show the results of media trials on people and the denial of their rights, which are often biased and against their privacy. In this paper, a regulatory method will be suggested to keep both media freedom and the protection of judicial fairness and the rights of people in legal cases, no matter the aim of media trials to improve responsibility. The paper tries to explain the need for responsible media that does not harm democratic values but still ensures fair process and justice.

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