Our Right To A Fair
Trial
Most,
if not all of you have heard of the man who, at a gas station, shot and killed
a black youth because the music in the car in which the youth was sitting with
friends was too loud. Beyond what I have just told you, I know nothing, absolutely
nothing–nothing that is, except for two facts. First, I hate loud music and
especially boom boxes–especially boom boxes. Second, I firmly believe that
everyone has a right to a free trial before a jury of his peers and is innocent
until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. I believe that emphatically, a
belief I will not yield.
I
also believe emphatically in our right to freedom of speech; and, in
conjunction, I believe in a free press, printed, broadcast, and/or televised.
Unfortunately for all of us, these freedoms are being abridged every day,
denying us our Constitutional rights. For the purpose of this posting, I’m
going to ignore the misinformation, outright lies, propaganda, and intellectually
low level entertainment imposed upon us every day by the media. I’ll address
that another day.
For now, I’m
going to address the problem of trial by television. It’s wrong, wrong, wrong.
I’m constantly hearing broadcasters cry “freedom of the press” when someone
objects–a downright falsehood. The real reason we see court trials televised is
profit, profit, and profit–no other reason; and, unfortunately, people have an
insatiable appetite for gossip, lust, and sensationalism, failings to which our
illustrious media is all too willing to provide. Freedom of speech, the dissemination
of knowledge, honesty, and/or integrity is not their primary concern. Isn’t it
obvious to you? Their primary concern is ratings, advertising, and profits, to
which end simplification and sensationalism are the order of the day.
Watching a trial
on live television is very interesting, if not exciting. Viewers gain information,
both good and bad, which are not normally allowed to be seen or known by a
sitting jury. Such information in the eyes and minds of the public are
detrimental to the selection of future juries should they be required due to
appeals and requisite re-trials. If the media is interested only in the dissemination
of knowledge or entertainment, there is nothing to deter it from broadcasting
the trial at a later date; but no, the best ratings are achieved within the intensity
and excitements of the moments. That’s where the money is.
Why can’t we
have comprehensive broadcasting on the banks use of derivatives and how they
wrecked our economy, and how many, by nation, are in circulation throughout the
world? Why can we not, in the news, hear about where the money is and where it
is going, contributing behind the scenes to the fortunes of our politicians?
Why can’t we have detailed broadcasting about our Shadow Government, about
which I have talked many times before? They won’t. They won’t because these
kinds of subjects are boring. They don’t increase ratings. They don’t make
money. I could continue, but I have said enough. I’m sure you understand.
Let there be no
doubt; we need the news; We need the media; We need knowledge; We need to be
informed, pro and con; and, for that matter, we also need to be entertained. We cannot do without it. Why can’t it all be accurate, honest, and straight, without prejudice, exaggeration,
or politicization?
Ronald Miller
mtss86@comcast.net
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