The media should report:

  • An arrest
  • On a trial
  • A verdict
  • Sentencing


If the trial is open to the press they can report on the evidence presented and who said what. But they should do so in a balanced manner (i.e. present the prosecution's evidence and the defence's)

Accusations are not news. Investigations aren't news (and the press probably just annoy investigating police). Opinion is not news. Rumour is not news. Speculation is not news. Maybe you can put those things in a gossip column but they do NOT belong under a 'news' banner.

Perhaps if the police _aren't_ investigating something and the press determine legitimately that they should be, maybe that's worth an article. Otherwise, wait for an arrest to report on.

And that's my opinion

Personally, I have intensely disliked Russell Brand from the moment he came into the spotlight. He did some half decent youtube vids a few years ago, during which he was still extremely annoying and oversimplified stuff, but he's gone so far off the rails recently it's a wonder he hasn't crashed into a tree. As to whether he's guilty of a crime or not, that's a matter for the courts to decide if it gets that far.

I don't know if you can say this is a case of media bias... the media being awful at their role in society? Definitely. But bias? I doubt it. They report any and all allegations these days if they think it'll get clicks. That's their moral compass now.