The court of public opinion needs to be dismissed

Caroline Flack's suicide has sent shock waves across the country. And yet, when you assess the situation - it's not really that much of a surprise. A person - with a history of depression, completely destroyed by the UK tabloids, and bombarded with a constant stream of hate on social media - takes their own life?

It's not so shocking now when you put it like that.

I'm not going to comment on whether she assaulted her boyfriend or not - I don't know, nor will I ever know the circumstances behind it. And yet, despite not having the full set of facts, the public and the media have still done what they do best - exercising their unwarranted role of judge, jury and now ultimately, executioner. It's safe to say that in today's toxic celebrity culture, Caroline Flack never stood a chance.

I have long said that people who are arrested and charged with a crime should have the right to anonymity until they are found guilty. I don't think it's ever in the public interest to know the name of a person until a judgement has been passed. For those arguing that naming defendants is in the interest of public safety, I don't see how. If someone truly poses a danger to the public, they would be held on remand. Innocent until proven guilty is an old adage, but it exists for a reason. I have seen for myself people who have been eventually found innocent of a crime, yet their name dragged through the mud before they've even had a chance to defend themselves. It stays with them for life. Everyone should have the right to a fair trial, something which completely underpins our justice system.

Instead, reckless reporting and salacious gossip, particularly in cases such as Flack's, serve to stir up a frenzy in the court of public opinion, known for its cutting, unforgiving and inescapable contempt. This court is one that is never adjourned - it is a seething, never-ending beast which will publicly swipe the pedestal from under your feet without a moment's notice. You're either in or you're out, up or down - and remaining on its good side is a near-impossible task, especially when today's consumer culture demands nothing less than absolute perfection from our celebrities. There's no such thing as a fair trial here.

There is no doubt that both the media and social media have contributed to Flack's suicide. And even now, the very groups that participated in destroying her life are now taking action in a bid to erase any responsibility. The Sun (which let's be honest, is worse than toilet paper), have already taken down negative articles they have written about her over the past couple of months - in a vain attempt to position themselves as a champion of her life and achievements. And in true irony, there has been an outpouring of love on social media - with the hashtag #bekind trending on Twitter (which is truly laughable). 

Do I think she should have faced the consequences if she had been ultimately found guilty? Absolutely - people should be held to account for their actions. Do I think we can pass criticism over public figures when it is due? Definitely. Can we still have open, honest debates and share differing opinions? Yes. However, what we can't and shouldn't do is trade in insults, barbs or spread misinformation about people. We all (including myself) need to hold ourselves up to a higher standard, and collectively squash out instances of abuse and hate.

The tweet above this post is one example of the kind of problem we have on social media. And I am ashamed to say that I am part of that problem, having actually 'liked' it at the time. Why? I guess I agreed. Now, I look at those words and to say it's aged poorly is an understatement. I wonder if it was seeing something like this that finally broke Caroline, and led to her taking her own life. That sits uncomfortably with me, and even though I've never written anything like that tweet, I have been complicit by supporting this type of message.

In general, I find the way society absorbs celebrity culture quite disturbing at times. We're all keen to uplift them when they are flavour of the month, then revel in 'schadenfreude' when they are at their lowest. I guess we all have and are entitled to an opinion - it is what we do with it that's important. Perhaps keeping the negative ones to ourselves, rather than weaponising them in the public domain should be everyone's first thought from now on. It all seems obvious now - it's just awful that it took the loss of a life for some people to realise it.

Caroline Flack is not the first, and sadly will not be the last to be judged so harshly by people who had no business in doing so - and irreparable damage has been done. All we can do now is look at ourselves and do what we can to make the world that little bit kinder.