FROM PUBLICITY TO SPECTACULARIZATION: A PERSPECTIVE ON THE INFLUENCE OF THE MEDIA IN THE BRAZILIAN CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Abstract

The principle of publicizing procedural acts is essential in a democratic state of law, as it ensures transparency and allows society to monitor and oversee government actions. However, due to the growing impact of the media, especially in an era of hyperconnectivity and the expansion of social networks, this transparency can often be distorted. This study explores the impact of the media on the publicity of procedural acts in Brazil, focusing on the shift from a democratic transparency perspective to a media-driven sensationalism, particularly in criminal cases. It examines how the principle of publicity, which is  fundamental for transparency and social control in a democratic state of law, can be distorted by the media’s pursuit of audience and sensationalism, undermining fundamental guarantees such as the presumption of innocence and due process. The study uses the Marielle Franco case as an example to highlight the dual nature of the media: crucial in pressuring for justice, yet also responsible for distortions and polarizations that affect public opinion and the investigative process itself.

Keywords: Procedural Publicity; Media; Spectacularization.