IMPACT OF JUDICIAL ACTIVISM ON PUBLIC TRUST IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM: THE MODERATING ROLE OF MEDIA EXPOSURE IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study examines the influence of judicial activism on public trust in Pakistan’s legal system, with media exposure conceptualized as a moderating variable. Utilizing survey-based quantitative data, the findings indicate that judicial activism exerts a significant positive effect on public trust, with approximately 56% of respondents reporting confidence in judicial institutions. Media exposure significantly moderates this relationship: when media coverage frames judicial decisions as rights-protective and constitutionally grounded, the positive impact of judicial activism on public trust is amplified, whereas negative or politicized framing attenuates trust. Regression analysis combined with a systematic review of media content demonstrates that balanced and ethical media reporting is essential for reinforcing the legitimacy of judicial interventions and sustaining public confidence in Pakistan’s judiciary.