MEDIA TRIALS IN HIGH-PROFILE CRIMINAL CASES: BALANCING PRESS FREEDOM WITH FAIR JUSTICE

AUTHOR – PRATHAMESH DHAKE, STUDENT AT UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI, THANE SUB CAMPUS

BEST CITATION – PRATHAMESH DHAKE, MEDIA TRIALS IN HIGH-PROFILE CRIMINAL CASES: BALANCING PRESS FREEDOM WITH FAIR JUSTICE, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (12) OF 2025, PG. 1093-1097, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344

Abstract

The phenomenon of media trials has emerged as a defining challenge for the administration of criminal justice in India. With 24×7 news cycles and the rise of social media, public perception of guilt or innocence is often shaped long before judicial verdicts are delivered. This paper examines the evolving relationship between freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial, analysing how sensational reporting can both strengthen and subvert justice. Drawing upon landmark cases such as Jessica Lal, Aarushi Talwar, Nirbhaya, and Sushant Singh Rajput, the study explores how the media’s pursuit of public interest sometimes crosses into prejudice. It also incorporates comparative perspectives from the United States and United Kingdom to highlight varying regulatory approaches. The discussion underscores the absence of effective enforcement mechanisms within India’s current framework and the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists. The paper concludes by proposing a balanced model that preserves press freedom while protecting the integrity of the judiciary through statutory reforms, digital accountability, and ethical self-regulation.