The BBC has been accused of "trivialising rape" with its new show The Verdict, in which a jury of C-list celebrities decides the outcome of a mock trial. Anyone watching?
Just wanted to bump this story since I think it raises some interesting issues.
I've watched the last couple of nights of this programme and I'm not sure I think it 'trivialises rape'. From what I've seen so far it shows up that people are often quicker to judge a victim than an accused rapist, that a minority of men on the jury seem to have made their minds up before they've heard any evidence, and that the trial process shows that it's down to the victim to defend her honour which is still a problem in rape trials.
I don't think it's particularly unsympathetic to rape survivors - if anything it seems to show what they have to go through in a trial.
There is the issue of including the 'celebrity' jury but they all seem to be taking it seriously and it is interesting to see the way they all react (often on a very personal level) to the evidence they see.
I've read the press coverage from this and I can't decide if I've truly missed something and it's trivialising rape, or whether it's a group of people trying to get a political message across. If it's the latter I wonder why they've had to go with the angle they've run with and why they couldn't put out a statement saying they welcomed any show that would discuss this issue.
I'm unhappy with celebs being involved in this. The idea itself I think is a good thing at exposing how hard it is for those who have been raped to get a verdict.
But it just feels like cashing in for the celebs to be involved.
I wonder if that's what the problem is - the celeb involvement.
I thought the idea itself seemed okay. After a while you forget they're celebs and just think of them as having either a good insight or being remarkably dim.
People are more likely to watch if there are 'names' though.. so if it is a good hearted/well intentioned programme, maybe they are being a bit savvy to include celebs.
Would as many people think about the issue if they were members of the public?
OMG - I actually think I agree with something that DrP has to say, and I don't really have any challenges!!
I started this thread on Sunday after I watched the first instalment, and was half watching it last night - you do soon forget the celebs are celebs, after all they are people just like each and every one of us. It is very interesting to see the way in which it is almost the defendant, the girl who has been allegedly raped who is on trial with the jury. OK, she has hardly done herself a lot of favours by lying on oath, but she is the victim - or is she?
Will be good to see how this one turns out? Has there been much/any press coverage about it?
