Trial by media

[Omegstrat6]

How can this be allowed? Since when did media companies and talk shows become the authority on this? Let the police investigate ffs. And why would you go to journalists after so many years before the police? Equally why did media establishment hold on to these details for so many years?? How can you expect a fair trial?

I take it you are referring to the Brand case? I agree with you about "trial by media" but, sadly, whether it is by newspapers wanting to sell more copies through salacious headlines or people on social media stirring things up that horse has bolted now so no use trying to shut the stable door.

Just as individuals on social media will differ as to their agendas or "fairness" so will newspapers and mainstream online/tv news reporting. The hope is that when it comes to any trial that the jury is presented with all the evidence before making their decisions and so may not be swayed by media stories that only present certain elements of the case. As someone who has done many disciplinary and grievance meetings over the years I have seen how people do change their viewpoints when made aware of the bigger picture so generally have faith in this system.

As for alleged victims going to journalists now, rather than reporting incidents to the police at the time, in an ideal world, I agree with you but there are so many variables including feelings of guilt, shame or embarrassment, fear of reprisals by their abuser (normally more powerful than them) and, of course, lack of trust in the police or justice system. Sometimes it is only with time that victims might have the strength to confront traumatic events from their past.

Of course there may be some making false allegations in order to seek attention or to try and get money but these are surely a minority.

I certainly agree that the actions of some in the media have been pretty disgusting, including the hounding of individuals and cases like that of investigations into Cliff Richard amongst others have been totally out of order. There will always be that fine line between freedom of speech (including on social media or in the press and the policing of it) and, sadly, "fairness" doesn't always come into it but the media only publish what they think will sell so their readership is surely complicit themselves.

I do agree with you about media organizations not dealing with reported abuse allegations of their "stars" properly but this probably more reflects the culture of the times and similarly happened in many other organizations or businesses. Certainly not right, but the whole me-too movement has at least begun to open up that can of worms to try and correct things.

Anyhow, if you are referring to Brand, I have little sympathy for him not only because of his well documented past behaviour (even though this was generally accepted at the time with its "laddish" culture) but because he too seeks to manipulate people via his own online views.