El impacto de la cobertura mediática en la preservación del principio de inocencia y la objetividad judicial en el sistema penal ecuatoriano

Abstract

This article examines the dichotomy between freedom of information and the presumption of innocence within the Ecuadorian criminal justice system, focusing on the phenomenon of the trial by media, understood as the construction of narratives of guilt by the media prior to the issuance of a judicial ruling. Media coverage is analyzed through two high-profile cases in Ecuador: the Sharon case and the David Piña case. The study aims to determine how the mediatization of criminal proceedings and the social pressure generated by journalistic narratives may influence judicial impartiality and the reasoning underlying judicial decisions. Preliminary findings suggest that the widespread dissemination of value judgments and evidence not presented in court undermines the substantive dimension of the presumption of innocence, thereby affecting effective judicial protection. The study proposes the establishment of ethical limits and communication protocols to ensure a balanced relationship between the right to inform and respect for due process. Keywords: presumption of innocence, media coverage, due process, impartiality, trial by media