Analysing the Trends of Media Trials in India: A Legal Perspective

The modern era is dominated by mass media. Each and every incident, however minuscule is subject to media coverage everywhere, irrespective of where it has occurred. Legal issues in India are no exception. They are intensely debated and scrutinised by the news channels, where reporters put forth their own opinions about the particular incident. These opinions often contradict the verdict proclaimed by the Court of law, and reporters end up showcasing the accused as guilty, regardless of whether he is guilty in actuality or not. This whole process, called media trial, has become a topic of frequent discussions amongst those who practice law. Questions that often arise are - is this kind of media investigation at all legitimate? And if it is, to what extent? Does it influence judgments passed by the Courts? Can it be regarded as an invasion of privacy? This paper seeks to analyse and answer these very questions.