Legal Aspects of the Fair Trial–Free Press Controversy: The Reardon Report Considered

The approved draft of Standards Relating to Fair Trial and Free Press, generally referred to as the Reardon Report, is the organized bar\u27s response to the necessity for guaranteeing a fair trial while still allowing as much publicity as is possible. The standards promulgated are merely recommendations which the eleven-member drafting committee has proposed for adoption by the appropriate authorities in the various jurisdictions. If not so adopted they will in no way affect the particular jurisdiction. However, having the prestige of the American Bar Association House of Delegates behind it, the Reardon Report bears analysis, as its recommendations will be carefully considered by local bar associations, judges, and legislatures. This Comment presents a critical analysis of the recommendations of the Reardon Report. An attempt will be made to evaluate the recommendations with particular emphasis on whether they have struck a fair and constitutionally permissible balance between the constitutional guarantees of fair trial and free speech