Cole Goldberg on WTVM ABC 9: Fair Trials in the Social Media Era

High-profile criminal cases now play out on TikTok, YouTube and true crime podcasts long before a jury is ever seated. Cole Goldberg, a national advocate for fair trials and due process, joined WTVM News Leader 9 (ABC 9) in Columbus, Georgia, live to discuss whether defendants can still get a fair trial when potential jurors have already seen months of headlines, viral clips and online commentary.

In his words

"All these headlines and all this commentary is not evidence. What matters is what's in court."

"Social media is much quicker than the courtroom."

"Patience is key. Stay around people that know your story, know your truth, and just wait for your day in court for the truth to come out."

What the interview covers

Whether it is realistic to expect jurors to set aside months of headlines, viral clips and true crime coverage
Why jury selection matters more than ever
Why allegations, headlines and online commentary are not evidence
The mental toll public judgment takes on a defendant, no matter the facts
How the court system can keep pace with social media

Why this conversation matters

The presumption of innocence becomes harder to protect when millions of people have formed opinions before opening statements. Cole lived that: his mugshot and headlines circulated for years before he was found not guilty on all counts. That experience is why he now speaks about keeping verdicts tied to the evidence presented in court.

Interview details

Station: WTVM News Leader 9 (ABC 9), Columbus, Georgia
Format: Live interview
Length: about 4.5 minutes