Abstract
Abstract The coverage of the Oscar Pistorius bail application proceedings is examined using the notions of ‘trial by media’ and ‘the media spectacle’. A sample of 54 issues was taken from the Cape Argus and quantitatively and qualitatively analysed. The research substantiated the hypothesis that Pistorius was subjected to a trial by the media, in which he was convicted in the court of public opinion. Furthermore, the coverage of the legal proceedings by the Cape Argus elevated the status of the case to that of ‘the megaspectacle’, which emphasized the importance of Pistorius, while demoting the importance of Reeva Steenkamp. ‘The megaspectacle’ also highlighted the societal struggles that South African citizens face, including poor gun control, domestic violence, subordination of women, as well as racism.
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