Mediatization and Justice: How Public Participation Influences Legal Processes Through Online Discovery
Abstract
Mediatization has been widely studied in politics and culture, but its implications for law remain underexplored. This research addresses that gap by analyzing how the evolving media landscape – characterized by accessible legal materials and the rise of DIY culture enabled by digital tools and social media – creates new opportunities for non-professionals to engage with legal cases. The study investigates the kinds of discoveries activists can make when discourse and action are democratized, illustrating how public engagement, facilitated by mediatization, can lead to significant contributions in legal contexts. The study focuses on how public participation influenced Roman Zadorov’s 2023 acquittal in the murder case of Tair Rada in Israel. In the Zadorov case, activists consulted experts, re-analyzed evidence, and uncovered new findings, demonstrating how public involvement reshaped legal narratives and outcomes. Rather than arguing that law is driven by media, this study demonstrates how mediatization provides structures of opportunities that can make legal processes more transparent and inclusive.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17951/ms.2024.8.47-67
Date of publication: 2025-01-27 13:06:20
Date of submission: 2024-10-27 18:03:26
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