In 1979, Ted Bundy’s murder trial was the first trial to be televised nationwide. “The building had been filled to the brim with media outlets from across the nation, all circling in to broadcast the trial of America’s most notorious serial killer” (Lauredo, 2019). Some speculate that it was this case that sensationalized true crime. While having cameras in courtrooms is a heavily debated topic, certain cases have become popular amongst society due to them being sensationalized by the media. Additionally, there are concerns around the ethics of broadcasting cases as it could result in: an impartial jury, public backlash, and overall lack of privacy. By broadcasting live trials, millions of people from around the world are able to watch and form their own opinions on the nature of the case.
Sixteen years later, viewers tuned in to the OJ Simpson trial. Simpson was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. “A celebrity turned accused criminal, a slow speed police chase broadcast around the world, and a nearly year-long televised trial that obsessed the nation left an unforgettable mark on the '90s for many” (Dabruzzi, 2019). This trial had a significant impact on the way people viewed the judicial system and criminal justice. “When the jury declared him not guilty of murder, more than 150 million Americans—almost 60% of the country—watched on TV. Telecom companies nationwide recorded a 50% drop in phone use during the verdict. Water companies saw usage decline as viewers delayed bathroom breaks to watch” (Angulo, 2022). Consumer involvement in the case and a decline of ratings after the trial was over, encouraged news outlets to cover more trials. “The 24-hour news cycle, a never-ending stream of reality television shows and many Americans’ unquenchable thirst for celebrity gossip — can be traced to this nearly 16-month span” (Babb, 2014).
Then in 2022, began the defamation trial of Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard. Televised live from a courtroom in Virginia, the six week long trial was even more relevant on social media. Throughout the six weeks, the broadcast has amassed a total of 83.9 million hours watched, not including all of the content viewed on social media. “What ensued was a six-week frenzy of media coverage, public speculation, and impassioned social media campaigning arguing one or the other party’s innocence” (Richards, 2023). Spectators from around the U.S. spent hours lined up outside the courtroom, camping out for the chance to witness the event in person. Clips from the trial have: received millions of views on social media, generated viral hashtags, and a countless number of memes. Not only was the trial heavily analyzed on social media, but people who posted content from the trial were receiving thousands of dollars due to content views. “Households across Saudi Arabia have been gripped by live coverage of Johnny Depp's defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard…’From my nieces who are 16 to my dad who is 62, we assemble in the living room and stream it live on YouTube’” (Nihal, 2022). Similarly to the OJ trial, members of the Depp vs Heard trial became famous in their own right. On August 16th 2023, Netflix released a 3 part documentary series analyzing the social media conversation around the trial and the role that social media plays in our society, as TikTok turned the case into a cultural moment.
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