INTERNET, REDES SOCIALES Y JUICIOS PARALELOS: UN VIEJO CONOCIDO EN UN NUEVO ESCENARIO

Abstract

This article studies the issues that 'Trials by Media' arise, as well as its effects on fundamental rights and process guarantees. The problem, in recent years, far from dissipating, seems to become entrenched and magnified, reaching new levels of audience thanks to the social networks structure and net algorithms. The work thus starts studying the transformations that ICT have brought both to the process of public communication and fundamental rights, among which appears the collapse of the model of public criticism and the end of the institution of free public opinion in the digital society, where disinformation prevails in its many faces "post-truth, fake news, superficial knowledge, etc.". Therefore, we analyze the effects of social media trials on fundamental rights and the criminal process. We expect to show if the greater follow-up and feedback that occurs in the digital scenario also translates into a greater affectation of the rights, which is exemplified in a recent case of public relevance («La Manada»). Finally, proposals are made to ease the situation and get out of the crossroad.