Influence Of Social Media And Digital Technology On Media Trials: Managing Fairness And Justice In The Digital Age

Abstract

This paper aims at studying the impact of the media trial in social platforms on the Indian judiciary. The current trend of media on reporting cases commonly known as “Trial by media” has witnessed the sensation of self-manifested stories, half-baked truth resulting in the violation of the right of individuals, resulting in media reporting transforming into a media circus. In India, media trials have assumed significance. There have been several cases where the media had taken the case into their own hands and declared judgement against an accused contrary to fair trials in court. An empirical research is done with a sample size of 200. The sample frame is Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The main aim of the study is to find out the impact of media trial on Indian judiciary. The independent variables are age, gender, marital status, educational qualification and occupation. The dependent variables are the awareness of media trials, its effect on judges, and independence of judiciary, contempt of court and implications of media trial on judiciary. The advent of social media and digital technology has revolutionized the dissemination of information, significantly impacting the dynamics of media trials. This study explores the dual-edged influence of these technologies on justice and fairness within the judicial process. While social media platforms enable real-time public discourse and democratize access to information, they also risk undermining the presumption of innocence by fostering widespread prejudgment. This research critically examines how digital narratives shape public opinion, potentially influencing judicial outcomes and compromising fairness. The statistical tools used in the study are graphical representation and correlation analysis. The media trial has a negative impact on the judiciary. The media trial has a subconscious effect on the judge's decision. The findings underscore the need for regulatory measures that uphold the integrity of legal proceedings in the digital age, ensuring that the pursuit of justice remains untainted by external pressures.