Overwhelmingly, those of you who responded to yesterday’s poll believe the forthcoming criminal trials of Donald Trump should be televised.
When I asked the question I was prepared to write that none of these trials should be televised because of the negative impact it would have on…
That was the part I couldn’t get past.
I can’t think of a single reason besides a gauzy deference towards an opaque concept of decorum that should inhibit the American people from seeing the most important criminal trial in the history of the United States of America.
In fact, it must be seen and watched because of the immense crisis of trust that exists in the country that has disintegrated the credibility of the media, courts, Congress, and scores of other vital institutions. Democracy will not survive in America if 40 percent of the people believe the trial is a political witch-hunt in which Trump was persecuted.
Of course, that is exactly what will happen if the events are not seen live, and are instead reported by networks that will seek to deliberately mislead the public, or otherwise manipulate what happened for clicks, commentary, ratings and market share. It has long been said that sunshine and transparency are the best disinfectants. There is a lot of truth to that. In the end, the United States is a government of the people, by the people, for the people. We have entered uncharted territory with regard to the prosecution of a former president. There is no issue more important than restoring trust to some base line in America — lest it reach a nadir where society simply can’t function. A failure to let cameras in will quicken the slide. Let them in.
I wrote yesterday in support of televising the trials in Federal court and continue to hold that opinion. However, I do not think that the jury should ever be shown. They are citizens doing their civic duty, but I can see how media could/will abuse them.
You'd think the problem with Bill Barr and the Muller report would be incentive enough to televise the court proceedings. It's a no brainer, except to those who don't want the truth revealed.