Analysis On The Trial By Media Phenomenon Of The Case Of Xia Junfeng

The “trail by media” phenomenon has been taken place in the press from time to time. It is a mistaken form of the media supervision, and it is led by the wrong recognition of the media role.Meanwhile, this phenomenon is not conducive to the realization of judicial justice and independent.This essay selects five outstanding metropolis dailies from different areas in China, such as:Southern Metropolis Daily, The Beijing News, Shanghai Morning Post, Chutian Metropolis Daily and West China Metropolis Daily. Based on the study of Xia Junfeng case which happened in 2009 in China, the essay mainly uses the method of content analysis. All the news report contents about this case from five newspapers are separated into different categories. After in-depth researches and analysis, the essay finds that when these metropolis dailies report the case, there has a “trail by media” phenomenon.Following the first step study, the essay analysis and summaries the expression ways of the“trail by media” phenomenon. They are as follows: writing on the biased standpoint, using the selected material, reporting the case in continuous and centralized way, using the sensational news language, reporting the one-dimensional voice, and a number of media media together form the public opinion in resultant force.Finally, the essay summaries the common characteristics and the causes of “trail by media”phenomenon. In order to avoid the occurrence of this phenomenon, the essay comes up with some advice to deal with. There are many reasons to form the “trail by media” phenomenon,however, in order to prevent the phenomenon from happening in journalism practice, we not only rely on the consciousness and self-discipline of the media, but also depend on the improvement of the whole judicial system and the transparency of the judicial trial.