In Defence of Media Trials

 So, I was at a debate today, with the topic being "Trial By Media". 

Ofc, my partner and I both wanted to speak 'against' , because???? What could you write 'for' the topic????

Apparently, I was going to find out...

We decided that a coin toss was fair, and whoever won got 'against'. 

I think you can guess who won....

I struggled writing the content, due to there (obviously) being nothing in defense of this issue.

So, I had to get creative, read "in between the lines" etc etc.

We won third and I'm proud of bringing up points that no one thought of, so I thought I'd share my content, cuz I think it's pretty solid. Tell me what y'all think in the comments

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Imagine this- 25th May 2020, it's a normal day in America, you go out with a 20 dollar bill to buy something, when suddenly, everything escalates.

The cops are called on you, approach your car with guns drawn, 3 of them hold you down as 1 kneels on your neck while you repeatedly say "I can't breathe".

This is not imagination, ladies and gents. 

This is what happened to George Floyd.

But, he did not become just another statistic in America's long history with police brutality, because the world's eyes were on him and his murderer, sparking off a worldwide protest- millions of voices demanding justice and accountability.

This, is the effect of a Trial By Media, my friends.

A media trial is defined as the impact of television and newspaper coverage on a person's reputation by creating a widespread perception of guilt or innocence before, or after, a verdict in a court of law.

I see media trials as a voice for the disenfranchised, with the BLM movement only one example.

Would Floyd's police murderers have been brought to justice if there hadn't been such a big public condemnation?

More than half of killings by police were left unreported in the last 40 years, and POC were estimated to be 3.5 times more likely to die from police violence than white Americans. 

But, when millions of people are focused on bringing about accountability, we work towards a safer future for our children, and bring peace to victims of the past, whose murders and abuse were covered up and forgotten.

These were people who had the system stacked against them, but now suddenly, against all odds, they will be remembered.

This is all thanks to the judgment the public can bestow upon those who would silently corrupt the system- complacent in the knowledge that no one would know what they have done.

I see this evident in the victims of S*xual assault remaining quiet,  in the continued existence of child p*rnography rings, bribery and corruption in the bureaucratic system and so much more. 

Here, media trials act as a check against systems of abuse and cover up set up by those in power. 

I would urge you to research the Priyadarshini Mattoo case or the Jessica Lal case, where the perpetrators were connected to police commissioners and MLA's respectively, helping them cover up evidence and obstruct justice.

I would also like to bring up the fact that the opposition would ask you to consider the "sensationalism" of media,  very conveniently shifting all blame into the shoulders of the media,  ignoring who created that demand in the first place.

To summarize, media trials give voice to the voice less,  while also helping keep a check on misuses of power. 

I'm reminded of a quote by Spiderman's Uncle Ben- "With great power comes great responsibility."

I would like to add on to this quote - "When those in power forget their responsibility, it is up to the masses to remind them of their duty."

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So there it is, I have to say, obvi this isn't what I actually think. 

Media trials are a witch hunt, and watching the 'Johnny Depp v Amber Heard' was akin to watching someone burn at the stake. 

But, I think I have something to offer this digital archive we call the internet,  especially if someone having to speak on the same topic finds this. 

Anyways, if you are that person, or even if you aren't....

CIAO~

FICGURU