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Affirms Media Reporting Rights While Restricting Use of Audio-Video Clips
In a significant clarification, the has reaffirmed the right of recognized news organizations to report on . A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana addressed lingering confusion surrounding an earlier that sought to regulate the circulation of courtroom live streams.
Clarifying the Scope of Media Reporting
The Court’s intervention follows a filed by petitioner Harshita Grover, which sought guidelines to prevent the unauthorized extraction, editing, and monetization of live-streamed proceedings on social media platforms. While an issued on , aimed to protect the sanctity of judicial work by restricting the use of audio and video recordings, it sparked uncertainty regarding the ability of the press to report on hearings.
Addressing this, the Bench clarified that their previous directives were not intended to silence the press.
"The order is not to be construed as imposing a
on the reporting of court proceedings by recognised news outlets,"
the Court observed, ensuring that the public remains informed about legal developments and judicial pronouncements.
Distinguishing Fair Reportage from Digital Misuse
The Supreme Court has drawn a clear line between textual reportage and the circulation of audiovisual assets. While media organizations are free to provide accurate accounts of courtroom discussions, they are strictly prohibited from utilizing audio or video clips of the proceedings in their reports. This distinction aims to prevent the manipulation of judicial context—such as the creation of misleading or edited clips that could misrepresent the court's stance.
Key Observations from the Bench
The Court emphasized that the freedom to report must coexist with the integrity of the judicial process:
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"The order is not to be construed as imposing a on the reporting of court proceedings by recognised news outlets."
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"Such outlets may, therefore, continue to report on the proceedings and inform the general public of legal developments and judicial pronouncements."
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"Save that audio or video clips of the court proceedings shall not be utilised in the course of such reportage."
Future Implications
The Court continues to oversee the implementation of the . The and relevant jurisdictional have been tasked with submitting status reports on these rules to ensure uniformity in how judicial hearings are managed and broadcast.
As the matter awaits further deliberation, the Court has allowed intervention applications to assist in shaping the final guidelines. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on , where the Court will continue to balance the public's right to information with the need for a decorous and accurate courtroom environment.
