# What is the basis of "The People's right to Know"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 30, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-basis-of-the-peoples-right-to-know/178618 "2003-05-30T20:38:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbe5ce/32.png) [@X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X_Slayer_ALE)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-basis-of-the-peoples-right-to-know/178618/1 "2003-05-30T20:38:31Z")
This Laci Petersen case is a good example. Certain evidence are sealed for good reason. They want a good jury pool who are not tainted by gossip, conjecture or influence of the media and would be fair and objective in the trial. So why does the media seem to think they have exclusive rights to any evidence that will be presented in the trial? Why cant they wait until this evidence is presented then follow up on it afterwards? What gives the media the right to publish potentially prejudicial information before a trial has gone underway? I have no beef with the peoples right to know. I have issues with the peoples right to know right now. Why cant they wait? ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-basis-of-the-peoples-right-to-know/178618/2 "2003-05-30T20:47:11Z")
Accountability of public officials through access to public records? ---
**Author:** ![X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbe5ce/32.png) [@X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X_Slayer_ALE)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-basis-of-the-peoples-right-to-know/178618/3 "2003-05-30T21:01:07Z")
Ok that is a valid arguement but why access these records before they are even presented in court? The media does not investigate, repudiate or confirm any of the findings that were made during the official investigation, why is there a need for them to be published before these things are even public record? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-basis-of-the-peoples-right-to-know/178618/4 "2003-05-30T21:12:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by X~Slayer(ALE) \* > **So why does the media seem to think they have exclusive rights to any evidence that will be presented in the trial? Why cant they wait until this evidence is presented then follow up on it afterwards? What gives the media the right to publish potentially prejudicial information before a trial has gone underway?** Because if they publish it, they sell papers, or in the case of radio or television, will get higher ratings, which means more advertising revenue. If they’re the first to show it, they get even higher ratings and sell more papers, so of course, they all rush to be the first to do it. Why do you assume that the media is any more concerned with the public interest than any other group is? ---
**Author:** ![X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbe5ce/32.png) [@X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X_Slayer_ALE)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-basis-of-the-peoples-right-to-know/178618/5 "2003-05-30T21:28:36Z")
No, i never assumed that the media has any altruistic intentions at all. I am quite familiar with their motivations and incentives to be the first to break the news, however, they have lawyers petitioning the presiding judge to unseal what both the prosecution and defense have agreed to seal. Business ethics aside, what would their legal arguement be and how does that take precedence over the defendants right to a fair trial? Why would the judge allow a “trial by the Media” to occur _before_ the actual trial. Why not let the real trial happen then allow the media copies of the evidence presented a short time after it was presented?