> threw their full weight at a lawyer

I used Steven as an example if private prosecution, where a private organization can take away your freedom outside of public prosecutors.

Steven did similar work to an investigative journalist at a high level, he brought attention to, and fought for a marginalized group. He did it through the court system rather than through publication. Despite doing it legally.

I don't see much of a difference. As recent times have shown, much of the legal system(and legal protections) depend on someone enforcing. Without that, there's little difference between the government boot and the corpo boot.