Before I start I feel I need to apologise in advance. I have been trying desperately to avoid writing this, in the hope that as the days passed the hysteria would fade, because I really don't want to get into a debate, but if I don't get it out I'm going to go stark staring bonkers...
...I have to have a rant about Casey bloody Anthony.
Two disclaimers. One, I don't wish to negate the fact it is a tragic and very disturbing story, because ultimately a child lost their life. Two, I do not pretend to know every last detail, for reasons that will become clear below.
I was going to say that, if you are in the US, you will have heard about this story unless you lived under a rock. But to be honest, if that rock is in Orlando, Florida, you still won't have been able to escape the relentless, torturous, continuous media histrionics surrounding this tragic and disturbing story. If you are British, you probably still know, but let me fill you in on the basics.
About 3 years ago, a toddler named Caylee Anthony vanished from an Orlando home, causing a huge search to be launched. Her body was found 6 months later in nearby woods. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance were sketchy at best, as was the behaviour of her mother, Casey. Casey was, indeed, eventually arrested for Caylee's murder.
However, before this had even happened, a media storm was brewing. A CNN "journalist" (and I use the term loosely, because I feel the expression "hack" or perhaps "harbinger of all evil" would be more appropriate) called Nancy Grace got wind of the story. The mystery surrounding Caylee going missing, and Casey's dubious behaviour, peaked her interest. She decided Casey was guilty, before she had even been arrested, and went on national television with a message that was essentially this: get her. Resulting in a lynch mob outside the Anthony's house for 2 weeks. Casey Anthony was indeed arrested and charged, but in the eyes of the media she had already been tried.
That was 3 years ago. About 6 weeks ago, Casey Anthony's actual trial - you know, in a courtroom, with lawyers - began. Last week, it ended. Casey Anthony was found Not Guilty on all charges except lying to law enforcement, which was frankly blatantly obvious even to the unititiated.
I don't want to have a debate on whether or not she did it. Everyone is entitled to an opinion - but it is just that. Opinion. Ultimately only one person really knows whether or not she did, and I doubt she's going to do an OJ Simpson any time soon.
However, the media circus surrounding the whole debacle makes me feel physically sick. There was coverage of the trial 24/7 on all our local stations, plus several of the national 24-hour news channels too. It was even available On Demand, so you could rewatch the prosecution showing photos of decomposed remains and discuss with psychologists whether or not Caylee was abused. The same as you can watch How I Met Your Mother or America's Got Talent on demand. I fail to see how that is acceptable in a civilised society.
I literally tried to hide from it, and didn't watch my own TV for 6 weeks in desperation to avoid it - but on other TVs in my house it was on from dawn until dusk. When the trial wasn't live, there was always reruns or endless analysis to watch. People queued up outside the Orange County Courthouse for tickets to the day's 'action', with one woman who was interviewed by local TV saying she was, "so excited!! It's the ultimate reality show!!"
...I'll let that one sink in for a bit.
Nancy Grace, for her part, went on CNN the night after the verdict, announcing, "the devil is dancing tonight". TV analysts pronounced her guilty before the verdict had been read (one pundit said they were "hoping for manslaughter". Hoping?) Local businesses have put signs up saying the jurors are not welcome.
I'm sorry, but the jury found her Not Guilty. You don't have to agree, but you do have to respect it. The right to a trial by jury is part of the Constitution that this country I now live in is founded on - something many people, in the hysteria, seem to have forgotten. Which alarms me greatly.
Meanwhile, there have been numerous other hideous and tragic child murders across America. How many do you think got any national media coverage?
The slim chance of even finding out what really happened to Caylee Anthony was obliterated by media histrionics that were so over-the-top that 75% of the covering stations would have been sued for slander if this was the UK (where definitively calling a person 'guilty' in the media before a verdict has been reached is almost certain to land you in court yourself). The whole thing has just made me nauseous.
And the worrying thing is, I highly doubt any lessons will be learned.
End of rant. I promise a less serious subject next time.
No comments:
Post a Comment