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21 U. Mass. L. Rev. 2 (2026)

handle is hein.journals/sonengrs21 and id is 1 raw text is: UM Ass LAW REVIEW Criminal Justice Journalism: Maintaining an Informed Public David Emerson 21 U. MASS. L. REV. 2 ABSTRACT This Article examines criminal justice journalism, a relatively recent term used to refer to a subgenre of investigative journalism that accordingly seeks to expose truth within the criminal justice system. Criminal justice journalism takes various forms, from the newspaper to the podcast, and this Article highlights the change that has been accomplished by such work. Additionally, this Article focuses on the language used by criminal justice journalists in a way that distinguishes tabloid-esque coverage from authentic stories that uncover the truth. Unsurprisingly, the criminal justice system provides no shortage of newsworthy content. Ultimately, this Article explores the most important role of the criminal justice journalist: the ability to create meaningful reform. AUTHOR'S NOTE The author is an attorney with Strause Law Group, PLLC in Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to attending law school, he worked as an English teacher in the Cumberland Gap region and Nashville, Tennessee. The author received his bachelor's degree in English from Campbellsville University, master's degree in English from Belmont University, and juris doctor from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law. The author would like to thank Mom, Dad, and Uncle David for their tremendous support. Additional thanks are sent to Professor Cortney Lollar for her helpful editorial insight. 2