News Media Coverage of Criminal Cases and the Right to a Fair Trial

The right to an open or public trial, the right to a speedy trial, and the right to a fair trial are guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and the fair administration of justice is the cherished right of all US citizens. It is agreed that our traditional concept of a presumption of innocence until proof of guilt must not be placed in jeopardy, yet this human want is occasionally in conflict with the freedom of the press and the right of the people to know and participate in the governmental process. Such a conflict, stemming perhaps from an unfortunate lack of faith in the tenets of our democratic institutions, should be resolved by our courts in such a way as to satisfy a maximum of human wants with the minimum of sacrifice of others.