In December 2010, the UK media became fixated with the disappearance of 25 year-old Joanna Yeates. When her body was discovered, many tabloid newspapers felt certain they knew the identity of her murderer. Christopher Jefferies had been Joanna’s landlord and was considered by some to be “strange”. The claims against Christopher were unfounded. Being hounded by the press left lasting reputational and psychological scars.

In this episode of Bad People, Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen ask: is it possible to have a fair trial when the tabloids have decided you are guilty? They explore research on prejudicial pre-trial publicity as well as “media shock” effects after police issue warnings about a killer on the loose.

CREDITS

Presenters: Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen
Producers: Laura Northedge and Lauren Armstrong-Carter
Assistant Producer: Hannah Ward
Editors: Anna Lacey and Richard Collings
Music: Matt Chandler
Production Coordinator: Jonathan Harris

Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins
Commissioning Assistant Producer: Adam Eland

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