The objectivity and neutrality of information on the network: the informative treatment of Eldiario.es, ABC.es, and ElPaís. com in the judgment against «La Manada»

Abstract

Spanish society has suffered a real unrest after the judicial process on the members of «La Manada», the nickname used for the five young men deemed guilty of sexual assault on an 18-year-old woman by the Navarra Court, in the San Fermin Festivals in 2016. Not only the trial but also the judgement has created a social movement against the judicial system on account of the court believing the sex offenders rather than the victim, according to the opinion expressed in social networks. This article focuses on the media treatment, independence, objectivity and neutrality, made by three mass media mentioned on the title as well as the coverage and reaction to the process which prove that the judgement and its consequences have meant a before and an after in the idea of sexual violence against women.