“Trial by media” or should I say “trial by social media” is something we should refrain from doing…
In my “Legal Studies” class we were taught a basic common law principle of the judicial system, namely, “a person is innocent until proven guilty.” This, along with the related principle that guilt must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, are fundamental to the presumption of innocence. One famous English jurist emphasised this when he stated that it was “better that ten guilty persons escape than one innocent suffer.”
Lately, I have become concerned that these basic principles are being eroded at a rapid rate. One particular concern is the “#metoo” campaign. Let me state clearly that sexual assault and harassment should never happen to anyone. And if nine are found guilty of such crime they should be prosecuted and punished under the proper processes that the law provides and not escape! And, if it is shown that our laws are inadequate to deal with this, then changes need to be made so that our judicial system can deal with these charges in an appropriate and just manner.
The TV and newspaper media have exposed this sin for what it is, however, in doing so, the alleged perpetrator is assumed guilty before he has a chance to defend himself. His name and picture are plastered on every screen and newspaper and, although it is not said, he is assumed guilty. But it is not just ‘trial by media’ which is a concern, it has now expanded to include ‘trial by social media’. When you read about these sexual abuse cases in an article online, most finish with the ‘Facebook’ icon so that people can ‘share it’ on their personal social media pages with just one click of their mouse, and many do, including Christians. As a result, there are now innocent people who have been falsely accused of sexual abuse whose reputations have been smeared beyond repair at great personal cost, both mentally, relationally and financially.
Christian, before we participate in ‘trial by social media’ it is good to be aware of the principles laid down in God’s word regarding the guilt and innocence of people. It was only on the testimony of two or three witnesses that someone could be put to death for murder (Deut 6:7). Jezebel, King Ahab’s wicked wife, hired two scoundrels to falsely testify against Naboth so that King Ahab would stop sulking and have the piece of land he desperately coveted (2 Kgs 21v7ff). And last but not least, the ninth commandment forbids false witnessing.
Furthermore, as Christians, we have a responsibility to protect our neighbour’s reputation, including those who are just a ‘mouse-click’ away. We also have a responsibility to reach out to those who have suffered sexual abuse and surround them with the love of Christ. We gladly do this because we know about the love that caused our guilt to be washed away, and our reputations restored before God by the One who had no sin yet was convicted by false witnesses. Let us show the same kind of love to our neighbours with the hope they will come to know Christ’s love too. JZ