Wounded by those I once stood beside, mocked by familiar faces, it is devastating to one’s mental health and can lead to deepening depression, anxiety and suicide.

Experiencing social exclusion & isolation by colleagues/friends/viewers/readers is a painful truth. This is a reality for many in Washington, USA, who find themselves subjected to public and online bullying, harassment, and persecution due to news media outlets releasing pre-trial information and reports without the subject's consent or prior notification. 

The fundamental right to a fair trial is compromised when the media oversteps their boundaries, influencing public perception before a trial even begins. This situation is exacerbated by the rapid dissemination of information via traditional and social media platforms. Our legal system is designed to administer justice impartially, yet media interference often casts a shadow over it, causing prejudice and affecting the outcome of trials. 

Concrete steps need to be taken to address this issue. First, legislation should be introduced in Washington to ensure that individuals involved in legal proceedings give explicit consent before any pre-trial information is broadcast by the media. Additionally, there should be strict penalties for media outlets that violate these consent laws, including substantial fines and potential suspension of their broadcasting licenses.

Second, there needs to be a framework for monitoring the media's release of pre-trial information, possibly through an independent regulatory body that ensures compliance with the new laws. Such measures will safeguard the rights of defendants and maintain the integrity of our judicial system.

The emotional toll of being publicly tried by media and the public IS devastating. Imagine waking up and seeing your name smeared across television screens and online platforms, every local news outlet, without having had a chance to defend yourself in court. This kind of preemptive judgment not only harms the individuals involved, but can also erode public trust in the judicial process as a whole as well as their communities. 

It's time to take a stand against media overreach and protect the right to a fair trial. Sign this petition to urge lawmakers in Washington to introduce and pass laws that regulate pre-trial media coverage, public backlash and hate speech, giving defendants the protection they legally and morally deserve.

https://www.change.org/Guilty-until-proven-innocent