“Court of Public Opinion” Exploits the Public Voice

The Dompost’s actions in elevating a “top of the head” poll to the status of a page one ‘Court of Public Opinion’ exploits the public voice, says Kim Workman, of Rethinking Crime and Punishment.

“When political and media actors dealing with emotive issues see superficial opinion polls as being more important than informed and engaged debate – it drives the public toward a discussion which is primarily emotional.”

“Emotions of fear, anger and disgust are easy to elicit on topics of crime and punishment, and often underpin responses to simplistic opinion polls. The exclusive interest of media and politicians in the emotional dimension is of public attitudes is revealed by the relentless focus on whether the public ‘trust’ or ‘don’t trust’ the judicial process, or want ‘tougher’ or more ‘lenient’ sentencing.”

“By continuing to focus only on the emotional or expressive dimensions of public attitudes media and political entrepreneurs are able to exploit ‘the voice of the people’ for their purposes. This is fundamentally disrespectful of the public and dismisses it as a viable force for policy development. It reduces the public to a repository of raw emotion. It is time for both the media and politicians to stop exploiting the public in this way, and instead treat the considered views of the public with respect.”

“In this latest case, it is very likely that if the Jury in the Ewen McDonald trial had been polled before the trial, and without the benefit of good information, they would have decided that he was guilty. The research on changing public attitudes toward crime and punishment shows that when a group of people are asked to focus on a task, with a clear expectation that they come up with a reasoned result on the basis of a considered judgement, they respond very differently than when asked for a general opinion. Even the most punitive, will put their own inclinations and values to one side, and fill the role that is expected of them.”

“Having sufficient and full information is important. Equally important is to require people to engage with others in a process of deliberation. It has a profound effect on people’s thinking; and compels them to be more reflective, cautious and considered.”

“The media and politicians have got to start engaging with considered public opinion. We will know we are there when the Dompost uses its front page to feature today’s story about 72 non-government agencies combining to express concern about the implications of the "green paper" on vulnerable children. If we can do that, it may in turn influence Parliamentary Select Committees to engage fully with the public submission process.”

Kim Workman
Director
Rethinking Crime and Punishment

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