Legal Aspects of Media Trial in Bangladesh: Free Press versus Fair Trial Dilemma

Both the freedom of press and right to fair trial are fundamental rights guaranteed in Bangladesh constitution. Amidst the heated tension between these two sets of rights, police directed media trial, too assumed intriguing dimensions in Bangladesh. Based on constitutional law, international human rights law, criminal jurisprudence and precedents from home and abroad, this study basically seeks to explore the legality of such trial- by- media or police directed media trial and how it is transgressing legal norms applicable in Bangladesh. The article wraps up with the finding that there should be clear distinction between media activism and media trial. Further, media and judiciary should not be at loggerhead; rather they complement each other for greater benefit of the people.