The public depend on the media to be its window into the justice system. It relies on media coverage during criminal proceedings to understand and process the justice system as well as build confidence in the integrity of the justice system (Townsend, 2011). Extensive media coverage however can also hinder some aspects of a fair trial, a fundamental right of our society. The Farquharson trial was no exception a sad and tragic case it attracted a lot of attention. Consequently numerous media outlets reported on the case and as a result greatly shaped the public’s perception of the accused. A jury’s job is to reach a verdict based on admissible evidence before the court, and not on prejudicial material published outside of court. Courts have
