Regulation of media and social media comment on rape trials: Achieving best practice

The positive effects of media reporting and social media campaigns regarding rape trials are evident in the official response to the media coverage of the Belfast 'Rugby Rape Trial', which provoked formal reviews of the legal process in both Northern Ireland. Regulation of media reporting on rape trials has traditionally centred on public access to courtrooms, rules relating to anonymity for complainants and defendants, and the general rules relating to contempt of court. While a thorough review of social media and reporting on sexual violence is beyond the scope of this chapter, some preliminary ideas are offered on minimising the negative effects of social media on rape trials by controlling jurors' engagement with it during the trial. Nevertheless, media and social media comment can also sensationalise and misrepresent sexual violence, serving both to misinform and interfere with the administration of justice in rape trials.