Friday, July 28, 2006

Trial by TV and tabloid / Spiked, 27 Jul 2006

http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/article/1303/
"The BBC documentary The Boys Who Killed Stephen Lawrence showed that this tragic murder has been turned into a morality tale about the oafishness of the white working classes. Even before BBC1 broadcasted The Boys Who Killed Stephen Lawrence, the documentary had generated headlines all week. Mark Daly’s 12-month investigation into the murder of the black teenager in London in 1993 promised fresh evidence against the original gang accused. So much so that judging by the title of the film, the BBC – like the Daily Mail before it – has made itself judge and jury in the Stephen Lawrence case. Apparently, as a result of Daly’s detective skills, the Metropolitan Police are said to be investigating allegations of corruption against one of their former officers. All of this might look impressive for the cameras. But would it look impressive in court? And why is the Stephen Lawrence case different from other racist murders where justice still hasn’t been done?"