TOP
The Adverse Impact of Press Coverage on the Legal System: Insights from George W. Dexter's Letter to Honorable George W. Wickersham
From: George W. Dexter, Attorney at Law
To: Honorable George W. Wickersham, Chairman, Law Enforcement Committee, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
I hope you will excuse this unsolicited observation, but I believe it reflects the sentiments of concerned citizens everywhere regarding the outcome of the deliberations of the commendable committee of which you serve as chairman.
Firstly, it appears that justice is sometimes thwarted due to premature disclosure of information to the press by police officers and prosecuting attorneys prior to the apprehension and trial of suspects. Undoubtedly, the desire for publicity motivates such actions, yet the consequence remains consistent: criminals can monitor unfolding events through newspapers, facilitating their escape if not yet captured, or allowing them to prepare their defense if not yet tried.
Secondly, newspapers exacerbate the challenge of law enforcement by sensationalizing crime, treating it as headline-worthy "news," and often framing the capture and conviction of suspects as if it were a spectacle. Instead of advocating for law enforcement, the press, through editorials and cartoons, sometimes derides the efforts of public officials involved in apprehending and prosecuting criminals, subjecting them to ridicule. Few individuals can withstand such ridicule, which is often wielded subtly and effectively, particularly through the medium of cartoons.
Indeed, it appears to some that the misguided prioritization of crime as "news" and the misdirected stance of newspapers represent the most significant obstacle to effective law enforcement at present. While I am confident that your committee will consider this aspect alongside others, it is worth noting that a shift in the attitude of newspapers could potentially be the most impactful measure in achieving the committee's objectives.
This letter from George W. Dexter to Honorable George W. Wickersham highlights the detrimental effects of press coverage on the legal system during the early 20th century. Dexter, an attorney at law, expresses concern over the premature disclosure of information to the press by law enforcement officials and the sensationalization of crime by newspapers. He argues that such practices hinder the pursuit of justice and undermine law enforcement efforts. This insightful correspondence underscores the complex relationship between the media and the legal system, a topic that continues to be relevant in contemporary discourse.
Original article:
Letter from George W. Dexter to the Honorable George W. Wickersham Describing the Adverse Effects of the Press on the Legal System
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6854446
Record Group 10: Records of the National Commission on Law Observance and EnforcementSeries: Letters from the PublicFile Unit: D 1930 [1/2]
TELEPHONE HOMEWOOD 10000
GEORGE W. DEXTER
ATTORNEY AT LAW
MARYLAND CASUALTY BUILDING
BALTIMORE
June 10, 1919
Hon. Geo. W. Wickersham
Chairman Law Enforcement Committee
Department of Justice
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
I trust that you will pardon this unsolicited observation, but I believe I voice the sentiments of good citizens everywhere in saying that there is more interest perhaps than you are aware in the result of the deliberations of the splendid committee of which you are the chairman.
First, it seems that justice is defeated in some instances by virtue of information given out for publication by police officers and prosecuting attorneys in advance of the capture of those charged with crime and prior to the time that they are actually tried. Doubtless the desire to appear in the public press is the cause in both instances, but the result is the same as the criminals can follow the daily developments through the newspapers and make their escape if not yet capture, or prepare their defense if not yet tried.
Second, the newspapers seem to be making law enforcement more difficult by giving crime great value as “news” and assigning headlines accordingly. It is also treating the capture and conviction of many accused of crime as something of a sporting event. The press is not urging law enforcement as it might do. On the contrary, by editorials and by cartoons, it sometimes actually ridicules acts of public officials engaged in capture and prosecution of those charged with crime and holds public officials and others interested up to ridicule. There are few men who can withstand ridicule. It is the most subtle of instruments thus employed, and particularly when used as cartoons. Indeed it seems, to some at least, that the misguided value of crime as “news” and the misdirected attitude of the newspapers at the present time would constitute the greatest single deterrent to law enforcement.
I am sure that your committee will consider this feature along with all the others, but you will pardon me in saying that possibly a changed attitude on the part of newspapers would go further than any other agency in bringing about the end your committee so much desires.
Very respectfully,
[signed] Geo W Dexter
GWD:AER
https://www.facebook.com/TodaysDoc