THE INFLUENCE OF MEDIA ON JURY TRIALS: THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL NETWORKS ON JUROR IMPARTIALITY

Abstract

This article analyzes the influence of the media, especially social networks, on the impartiality of jurors in jury trials. With the advancement of communication technologies, jurors' exposure to external information, often sensationalist and inaccurate, has increased significantly. Emblematic cases such as that of Suzane von Richthofen, the Kiss nightclub tragedy, the paradigmatic precedent of the Escola Base case, and the Isabella Nardoni case exemplify how the media can create narratives that influence public perception and compromise impartial judgment. The research highlights that, although legal mechanisms exist to protect jurors, such as incommunicado detention and change of venue, they are insufficient given the speed and reach of information on social networks. The study points out that popular pressure, fueled by the media, can affect the impartiality of jurors, as they may be induced to form preconceived opinions even before the analysis of the evidence in the trial. The inability of current legislation to address the new dynamics of digital communication is a central concern, requiring the revision of existing measures and the implementation of media literacy policies to protect the impartiality of jurors. The overall objective is to verify how media influence interferes with the formation of jurors' convictions, potentially compromising the neutrality of the trial. Specific objectives include examining the institutional functioning of the Jury Court and the role of lay jurors, identifying mechanisms for shaping public opinion through traditional and digital media, and evaluating the impact of prior exposure to sensationalist content on the decision rendered in court. In conclusion, a balance between freedom of expression and procedural rights is necessary to ensure that jury trials are conducted fairly, without interference from media pressure.