If the trial in the case of the attempted assassination of Shymkent deputy akim Ruslan Berdenov lacked public attention, then the presiding judge Abinur Karabaev provided the truly best PR. The judge showed Botagoz Omar, a journalist filming on video, his tongue. This event caused a lot of criticism and inspired users of social networks to create memes. On why the judge's strange gesture has damaged the reputation of the entire judicial system, in our analysis.
In the mass consciousness, the judge is the embodiment of rigor, impartiality and the law. The demonstration of tongue by a representative of the authorities in a high-profile trial destroys this archetype. Society perceives such a gesture as a devaluation of civil control.
Reaction of the court's press service
The court's press service promptly announced the verification and possible transfer of materials to the Judicial Ethics Commission.
"The actions of the presiding judge Abinur Karabayev during the consideration of the criminal case on the attempted murder of the deputy akim of Shymkent are subject to verification for violations of the Code of Judicial Ethics," the court's press service said. (source: Tengrinews)
What does detachment and dry communication mean?
Technically, this is the right step. But the dry wording without demonstrating the values of the judicial system sounded like a bureaucratic "reply."
The fact is that in this case we are dealing with a fact that cannot be disputed – the demonstrated tongue of the judge was recorded by a video camera. Therefore, direct sincere apologies to the journalist and the public before the end of the inspection and the imposition of a punishment to the judge would be quite appropriate here.
What does this case teach?
1. One gesture or phrase of the brand's bearer (and in this case, the judge is a representative of the conditional brand "judicial system") can negatively affect the image of the whole structure.
2. Formal phrases do not replace openness and humanity, which are extremely necessary in crisis communications.
3. The task of the judicial system is not only to punish the perpetrators, but also to build a culture of communication based on the value of mutual respect for government and society.