Published Paper Details:

This paper critically examines the phenomenon of media trial, highlighting how the media, in its role as the fourth pillar of democracy, often oversteps its boundaries and undermines the judicial process. Through detailed analysis and case studies like the Jessica Lal and Priyadarshini Mattoo trials, it reveals how excessive media coverage and premature judgments can distort public opinion, jeopardize fair trials, and violate individual rights such as the presumption of innocence. The paper underscores the ethical dilemmas and constitutional tensions between freedom of speech and the right to a fair trial, exploring the limitations of current regulatory mechanisms. While acknowledging the media's role in exposing injustice and catalyzing legal reform, the study warns against its transformation into a "public court" that undermines judicial neutrality. It concludes with a call for a balanced approach--preserving press freedom while ensuring due process, protecting civil liberties, and upholding the sanctity of the legal system.