Does social media influence the right to a fair trial?

Does Social Media Impact the Right to a Fair Trial?

The purpose of this questionnaire is to explore the impact of social media on our criminal justice system, particularly criminal trials. You are under no obligation to become involved. Below is some information relating to the research that will help you decide whether or not you would like to be involved.

What is the study about?
At the University of Central Lancashire we are performing research into whether a person’s Right to a Fair Trial (Article 6, Human Rights Act 1998) is impact by social media. By exploring this on a wide scale, it is hoped this will assist in developing recommendations for the court process, including the selection of jurors, to assist in potentially making the trial of defendants fairer in a social media world.

What will happen if I agree to take part in this research?
You will be asked to continue and complete an anonymous questionnaire which should take approximately 5-10 minutes. On finishing the questionnaire you will be given details to access the results of this study when it is finished.

 

What are the risks associated with taking part in the research?
As part of the survey there will be examples of news headlines in respect of crimes which have been committed, including the death of a child. If you believe that this could trigger you or affect your emotional/mental wellbeing, you should not participate in this research.

What are the benefits of taking part in the research?
There are no direct benefits to you from taking part in this study. We are asking you to help us in order for us to use your responses to help further our understanding of the impact of social media on our criminal justice system to direct policy design and implementation. 

How will we ensure any personal information used during the research is kept confidential?
No personally identifiable information will be needed to complete the questionnaire, and your answers will be anonymous. You will be asked for basic demographic information such as what social media you use to allow us to fully analyse the data. 

Are there any reasons why I might not be eligible to take part in the research?
We require participants over the age of 18 years.

Further Information:
For further information or to request the questionnaire in a different format please contact Hannah Finch at [email protected] or Dr Laura Boulton [email protected] or 01772 894386. The School of Forensic and Applied Sciences (FAS) office can be contacted on [email protected] or +44 (0)1772 891990 or 891991.

If you wish to raise a concern about the study, and in particular about the conduct of the study or the individuals involved, that would be inappropriate to raise with the principal investigator, these should be addressed to the University Officer for Ethics at UCLan: [email protected]  Please include the study name or description (so that it can be identified), the principal investigator, and the substance of the complaint in your email.

Complaints:
We hope you take part and find our study interesting. However, we realise problems may arise. If you have any concerns, please contact the researchers listed above. We will do our best to answer any problems. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this information.

By taking part in the questionnaire and submitting your responses, you are agreeing that you understand the information provided and agree to the following:

 

1. I confirm that I have read and have understood the information sheet dated for the above study. I have had the opportunity to consider the information, ask questions and have had these answered satisfactory.
2. I understand that the questionnaire is anonymous and once my responses have been submitted they will not be retrievable, therefore, deletion of my data is not possible.
3. I understand that any data I provide will be used to provide an overview of perceptions of...  

By filling in the questionnaire after reading this information are agreeing that you understand the information provided and agree to us analysing the answers you give. We ask if you do not agree to this then please do not submit your questionnaire answers.

By selecting NEXT you are confirming to have read, understood and agreed with the above informed consent.

What social media platforms do you use? (Please tick all which apply)

Which platform do you use the most?

When using social media, do you digest any news media?

Do you ‘like’ or ‘follow’ any news media on your social media platforms?

If no, do you still see content from news media outlets on your social media?

Are there any other ways that you see this news media content?

Do you share news media content to your own social media?

Do you ever publicly comment, using your own social media, on news media content?

Why? (Please specify)

Could this headline evoke strong opinions or feelings from people reading it?

Does it evoke strong opinions or feelings in you?

Would you feel compelled to share or comment on this article?

Would you be more likely to click on this article with this headline than the one before it?

Why? (Please specify)

Do you think Bolton Evening News have sensationalised their headline for Facebook, in order to entice people to follow the link to their own website? This is known as clickbait.

Do you think this headline could evoke strong opinions or feelings from people reading it?

Does it evoke strong opinions or feelings in you?

Would you read the comments of Facebook users underneath the article?

Would you feel compelled to share or comment on this article?

If you were subsequently called for jury service for this trial, would you be able to impartially make a decision on the person’s guilt or innocence after reading the article and reactions of Facebook users (the public)?

Why? (Please specify)

Do you think this headline could evoke strong opinions or feelings from people reading it?

Does it evoke strong opinions or feelings in you?

Would you read the comments of Facebook users underneath the article?

Would you feel compelled to share or comment on this article?

Would you feel compelled to share your opinion or reply to any of these comments?

If any of these users were subsequently called for jury service for this trial, would they be able to impartially make a decision on the person’s guilt or innocence?

Why? (Please specify)

Do you think if you were subsequently called for jury service for this trial, you would be able to impartially make a decision on the person’s guilt or innocence after reading the article and reactions of Facebook users (the public)?

Why? (Please specify)

Would you feel compelled to share your opinion or reply to any of these comments?

If any of these users were subsequently called for jury service for this trial, would they be able to impartially make a decision on the person’s guilt or innocence?

Why? (Please specify)

Do you think if you were subsequently called for jury service for this trial, you would be able to impartially make a decision on the person’s guilt or innocence after reading the article and reactions of Facebook users (the public)?

Why? (Please specify)

Did you see any opinions shared by people you follow or are friends with on your social media in March 2021?

Did you yourself express any opinions relating to the disappearance of Sarah Everard in March 2021?

Do you think this headline could evoke strong opinions or feelings from people reading it?

Does this headline evoke strong opinions or feelings in you?

Would you read the comments of Twitter users underneath the article?

Does this headline give you any cause to make an assumption about the suspect’s guilt in this case?

Why? (Please specify)

53) Does this tweet evoke strong opinions or feelings in you?

Do you agree with the tweet?

Does this tweet give you any cause to make an assumption about the suspect’s guilt in this case?

Why? (Please specify)

F any of these users were subsequently called for jury service for this trial, would they be able to impartially make a decision on the person’s guilt or innocence?

Why? (Please specify)

Does this tweet evoke strong opinions or feelings in you?

Would you read the comments of Twitter users underneath the article?

Does this tweet, with details of the suspect being arrested for a further unrelated offence, give you any cause to make an assumption about the suspect’s guilt in this case?

Why? (Please specify)

Is this different to your previous opinion?

Does this tweet evoke strong opinions or feelings in you?

Would you read the comments of Twitter users underneath the article?

Does this tweet, with details of the possible method of the suspect, give you any cause to make an assumption about the suspect’s guilt in this case?

Why? (Please specify)

Is this different to your previous opinion?

Do you think it will be possible to select a jury that does not have a pre-existing opinion about the suspect’s innocence or guilty?

Do you think Wayne Couzens’ Right to a Fair Trial is effected by the news coverage on social media?