Night after night on our television screens we see those accused of various crimes paraded before the television cameras on
In this country we have a judiciary and a justice system and we must allow these people and institutions to carry out their functions. Every person is entitled to a fair trial and considered innocent until proven guilty. It is this right which is jeopardised when people are paraded before the cameras before their trial is completed and while they are still only suspects in a given case. In other countries it is even illegal for media outlets to show people in handcuffs before their trial is completed. If they are found guilty they can be shown in handcuffs but not before.
We must do all we can to stop this practice. It essentially amounts to trial by media and this is not one of the roles which the media should play in a society.
“Ill news hath wings, and with the wind doth go, Comforts a cripple and comes ever slow.”
Michael Drayton