Rittenhouse Trial by Media
The Wisconsin Kyle Rittenhouse trial has seen a lot of media coverage, politicization, and criticism over the last several weeks. Being documented live on television across multiple outlets, this case has certainly attracted the attention of many.
Media outlets from NBC, NPR, Reuters, and BBC, to NewsMax and Fox News, many editorials and news hosts have laid out their opinions and facts about the trial concerning the now-18 year old Kyle Rittenhouse shooting in Kenosha, WI, which left two people killed.
Media outlets like NBC, NPR and BBC have been quick to point out critiques of unfairness and possible bias in the case for both political and unpolitical reasons. They note the possibility of legal unfairness by the selection of jurors by simple lottery, calling the trial "political theater". Questions also arising from outlet NPR regarding the judge's possible unfairness/bias in the case due to several factors citing: " some of his actions were inconsequential, others — including a strong admonishment of the lead prosecutor last week — could be pivotal to the trial's outcome" and "chroeder also drew criticism before the trial began when he ruled that prosecutors could not refer to those shot by Rittenhouse as "victims" — "a loaded, loaded word," he said — while allowing defense lawyers to refer to them as "arsonists" and "looters". Another outlet citing the instance where judge Schroeder's phone ringtone went off during the trial, playing a song, one that Donald Trump was known for playing during his political rallies, indicating potential bias by some.
More conservative leaning outlets- Fox News and NewsMax relayed concern, but for different reasons. It seems no one is particularly pleased with the events taking place in the trial so far. Fox News holding a segment on Binger, the prosecution attorney, noting the instance in his closing arguments where he draws Rittenhouse's AR-15 in the courtroom, writing "his need for basic firearms training when he flagged the entire courtroom by mishandling an Armalite-style rifle – with his finger on the trigger and the stock not shouldered properly". More criticisms drawn by NewsMax in an article commenting on White House press secretary Jen Psaki's covering "for President Biden's previous comments on Kyle Rittenhouse, portraying the teenager as a "white supremacist".
This trial is so far one being guided heavily by public opinion and media coverage, all relaying very different opinions and narratives surrounding Kyle Rittenhouse. Some portraying his as a "hero" and others, murderer and white supremacist. With the arguments made, and deliberations coming to a close, one thing is clear- the ramifications of the decision in this case will be felt far and wide.
I thought that this case was really interesting to watch play out. I liked how you wrote about this topic, providing both sides helps us readers get the entire idea. This whole trial does seem like a "political theater", but this is a somewhat common thing. I agree with you though, the ramifications of this decision will be felt for a while. I'm scared that other people will feel like they can get away with the same thing. Really good post! Thank you !
ReplyDeleteThis trial is a commentary on America. No where else in the world would a 17 year old be on trial for legally possessing a military-style assault weapon, and using it to kill people. This is just one of the major reasons why we do not need guns in America. In relation to the trial, most people follow the media narrative. They tune in to media sources where they know they are going to hear what they want to hear. It is important to watch the actual trial in order to obtain the facts and to better understand the information that the jury sees.
ReplyDeleteThis event as been completely politicalized. Its interesting to note how most of the questioning has been placed on why did a 17 year old have a AR-15 and hone down on him for a self defense altercation vs how did a convicted criminal attain a pistol. Furthermore, a lot of court sessions and honing down on Kyle, but what about the criminal's court session for not only chasing Kyle, pointing his weapon at him and the charges for simply having a gun as a convicted criminal. Events such as this should be completely driven by facts and hindsight... but what I see is politcal and emotional agendas dictating what occurred to Kyle during and after his verdict, majorly being fueled by the media.
ReplyDeleteHi Remy,
ReplyDeleteThis trial was one that took the country by storm. There was such a divide over this case. I know people who were 100% convinced that he was guilty and other people that were convinced he would be acquitted. I am not surprised by the verdict and I am not surprised by how Kyle has acted afterwards. He was interviewed by Tucker Carlson and was claiming that Biden defamed his character, because he called him a white supremacist. Also, Kyle was able to hang out with former president Donald Trump and they took a picture together. It is pretty much playing out how I thought it would.
Hey Remy! I thought that this blog was a good take on the case of Kyle Rittenhouse overall! I also wrote about this in my blog, but I liked how you pointed out the cause for strife on both sides of the argument and gave the overall summary of the attitudes people were having.
ReplyDelete