General Discussions

[Lods]

For some reason I felt compelled to catch up on the Higgins Lehrmann case today, partly I suppose because media outlets have made Wilkinson front page as is their want.

But that trial has not caught my attention as much as some of the statements from Wilkinson and other media types, it's alarming to say the least.

In the old days, media knew exactly what it was, and the investigative power it held, it took that power very very seriously.

What is shocking is that some of the current behaviour documented in this case seems to assert that the media still knows about the impact it can have, but no longer blinks at misuse of that power. In effect the media have moved away from being serious investigator to become wilfully trivial judge and executioner, it's a disturbing trend and one everybody should be worried about!

Some of those involved in commenting on the original case and making personal judgements regarding guilt, including the then Prime Minister, were entirely inappropriate.
It pretty much ensured the case was a shot unit.
In the end it was decided not to proceed with the trial but had it gone ahead, given the publicity, I'm not sure there was any chance of a 'fair' trial.
Folks made up their minds pretty quickly for either side.
Presumption of innocence went out the window.
The thing is, you can't say there are no winners in this one....Lawyers certainly.
Those receiving compensation payouts and potential book deals?
Maybe
But you would have to know the truth of the night in question to judge that
It may be quite possible there was some real traumatic consequences of the night for individuals but we have no idea where the truth lies.
It's a grubby mess.