Mídia e Justiça: um estudo sobre o impacto da opinião pública nas decisões judiciais

Abstract

This academical work aims to analyze the impact of the media, especially television, on public opinion formation and its implications for judicial decisions, using the "Tio Paulo" case as a study. The adopted method is qualitative research, grounded on documentary analysis of media coverage and a literature review of studies that deal the relationship between media and justice. This work examines journalistic materials and other cases to identify patterns of media interference in judicial decisions. The results show that the media can influence the creation of narratives and promote a mood of pre-judgment, undermining the presumption of innocence and judicial impartiality. The spectacularization surrounding crime, driven by sensationalism and the dissemination of impactful images can create pressure on the justice system for swift and punitive responses. The analysis of Erika Nunes's preventive detention highlighted 4 weaknesses in the legal reasoning, suggesting that media pressure and social uproar may have played a decisive role. The study concludes that, although the relevance of the media in democratic societies, it is essencial that the actions must be guided by ethics and responsibility, avoiding the manipulation of public opinion and the spectacularization of violence. Media literacy, media regulation, strengthening judicial independence, and transparency are pointed out as essential elements to ensure the impartiality of judicial decisions.