Bibliographic details and abstracts are available to all. Downloads of full-text dissertations are restricted to University of Portsmouth members who must login. MPhils may be accessed by all.

Abstract

In a technologically advanced society such as our own, the mass media and the internet are both crucial components of everyday life, and it is, therefore, vital to consider how both of these impact our opinions, prejudices and view of the world around us. This dissertation examines the battle between the needs of justice versus the freedom of information in the media and the current UK Contempt Laws which seek to protect individuals from a phenomenon labelled ‘trial by media’. This dissertation also investigates the decline in ethical journalism and how ‘trial by media’ has evolved due to trends such as ‘citizen journalism’ emerging from the internet. The cases of Christopher Jeffries, Kate and Gerry McCann and Sir Cliff Richard have been analysed in this work in an effort to portray the damaging, long-term effects that ‘trial by media’ can have on individuals as well as society as a whole, and the triviality of redaction and re-sentencing in the 24/7 news landscape. Drawing from case studies and research, this dissertation outlines the possible implications for future media law and the benefits the current deregulation has for our democracy.

Course: Media Studies - BA (Hons) - C1346

Date Deposited: 2020-10-27

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13585.html