Readers give mixed reviews to media coverage of the Simpson trial

A BDN editorial last week asked readers their opinions on the media coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial. The following excerpts are a sample of their answers.

Our apparent obsession which the media/press seek to satisfy verges on the unbalanced! I have no idea what propels the interest: is it voyeurism, racism, sexual fantasies, what? Not news!

Of course, some of the video coverage teaches us the techniques of courtroom behavior. Does it add to our basic understanding of our justice system? I doubt it, and I doubt whether it produces equal justice when one considers other defendants accused of criminal acts without resources to buy justice! Elinor K. Newbold Mount Desert

Do readers watch as much as they did? No! No! No!

Has the trial been an education, etc.? It sure has. The whole trial has made a joke and mockery of our judicial system. It is not only boring but also disgusting.

The whole show should have ended with that Bronco ride. Genevieve T. Fleming Howland

At the start of the trial I was enthralled with the workings of our legal system. Never before had I been subjected to the inner workings of our court system and I watched, read and listened to everything I could. It finally began to become clear to me that the trial of O.J. Simpson is definitely not about justice for anyone. What it is about is money, monster egos and a win at any cost attitude by the prosecution and defense lawyers. An absolutely disgraceful display by all of the lawyers involved with this case.

As a result, I have ceased watching the trial completely. I only read the short blurbs that are published in the Bangor Daily News. These articles are just the right amount of coverage as far as I am concerned. It is my opinion that justice would be much better served by removing all television cameras from the courtroom. James W. Rhoads East Holden

I, for one, am tired of the circus. I avoid news of the trial even more quickly than a dentist’s drill. I would prefer nails on a blackboard. It is my instantaneous “change station” cue on radio and TV. I love the Comedy Channel’s “Just Say `No J’ ” campaign and wish the BDN would follow suit. Michael P. Gleason Bangor

The Bangor Daily News does an excellent job writing the highlights of the O.J. story. Please continue; we all don’t have CNN. or cable. More importantly, we don’t have time to sit around and watch TV. The story is very important, after all, two lovely human beings were brutally murdered. The BDN is doing its part to keep us all informed. Fred Vardarmis Bangor

The court scenes shown on national news are sufficient for me.

All newspapers are naturally expected to report on the trial of the celebrity. The O.J. trial is Front Page news! The BDN has reported events very well. Mary Reeves Boothbay

One cannot help but be left with the feeling that defense lawyers in general only want to win (to figuratively put another notch on their briefcase) and justice is but happenstance.

The public needs to be aware of the significance of this and the fact that all types of media have done an excellent job of laying it all out before us — but will it result in anything? How many are viewing it as something other than entertainment?

On the other hand, media focus has given attention to an event far out of proportion to what it deserves. It, to my mind, sends a message of distorted values, of a focus on celebrity rather than something that impacts on the life of everyone. It trivializes us all. A worrisome concern is that the way it is being done can only make the race issue more divisive. Mary Ellen Whiteman Danforth

Judge Ito has no more control over his court than I do. And a hero is someone that has served his country or saved a life. O.J. Simpson certainly is not either of those, as he has taken two lives, regardless of the outcome of the trial. He is guilty as sin and should be put to death.

I am so tired of seeing it on TV and seeing his name splashed all over the papers, I could scream. Olive Tourtelotte Northeast Harbor

One article per day, buried someplace inside (the newspaper), is a reasonable feeding of an unhealthy curiosity. The story has been too much in the news to be dropped. I don’t have a TV, so I rely on the Bangor Daily News to give me some idea of what’s going on in the general American culture. …

Honestly, I don’t think that the way we’ve been following the O.J. story has been all bad. It seems to me that journalists have been trying to use the story to bring up other issues, whether it’s learning about DNA or using Marcia Clark’s woes as a springboard for discussing how child custody matters are handled in our society. Margery Harrison Glenburn

Enough was enough months ago when, in may opinion, adequate evidence had been gathered to convict anyone else less wealthy and less famous. I have never watched the TV coverage, finding it real easy to change channels.

I also have no problem in skipping the many newspaper and magazine articles regarding O.J. I can continue doing this if you feel the need to cover the news. However, you might stick it on the back page without pictures! Eileen Lind Dover-Foxcroft

The coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial is a classic example of how to manipulate public opinion. By diverting attention from pressing social, economic and political problems, corporate news sponsors make sure people are kept ignorant and apathetic while being entertained.

The media focus on lurid details of the trial substitutes emotion and reaction for the research and intelligent thinking needed for democratic politics. In this way, the Fourth Estate becomes an essential part of the process of manufacturing the consent of the governed. Nancy Allen Surry

This trial is, without a doubt, the trial of the century. The mere fact that it takes place in California and has a Hollywood setting would be sufficient. Combine this with a Hollywood actor charged in a double murder and the intrigue is never-ending. After watching this “theater” for these many months, it is obvious to me that the judge and all the attorneys are playing to the televsion and not to the jury.

From what I have been able to observe, the Bangor Daily News presents facts in a fair and unbiased manner. The exception being the video medium, with the likes of “Hard Copy” and “A Current Affair.” They relish in telling half-truths to excite their fans. Maxwell Spector Calais

Where is Perry Mason when we need him? He could wind this trial up in one hour. Glen Dalton Prospect Harbor